Wake Smith Solicitors started its new legacy partnership with Museums Sheffield with a launch event in the Millennium Gallery.
Suzanne Porter, director of the Wills and Probate team at Wake Smith joined Kim Street, chief executive of Museums Sheffield to reinforce the importance of donating to the city’s museums through a Will and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
They were joined by trustees, friends and volunteers of Museums Sheffield as well as Millennium Gallery curator Ashley Gallant.
Suzanne, who has visited the city’s museums since she was a child, said: “Each year, over one million people visit Sheffield’s free museums and galleries.
“If you’ve enjoyed a visit and want to give something back, you can remember Museums Sheffield in your Will – it’s a special way of ensuring the museums and galleries you love continue to thrive and to provide access to great art and heritage for everyone, every day.
“It is simple to do and such a legacy is exempt from inheritance tax.
“Your legacy will help them to inspire the next generation of artists, collectors, curators and museum enthusiasts.”
By donating to a charity, you reduce a potential Inheritance Tax liability on your estate. All you have to do is either add Museums Sheffield into your current Will, or include them in a new Will.
Suzanne added: “Having your Will prepared by a qualified professional, through the team at Wake Smith, is of the utmost importance to ensure they meet your individual circumstances and estate planning needs.
“A will ensures your assets go where you want them to go.
"All Wills must be accurate. You will need people's proper names, descriptions of any specific items you want to leave to individuals and the proper names and registered charity numbers of any charities you may wish to give to.”
One in two UK adults still haven’t formalised their wishes with a will. That is more than 31m people in Britain at any one time who now risk dying without stating who should inherit their money, property and possessions after they've gone.
Suzanne added: “If you die without one, then your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. This means partners may get nothing, a spouse might not get a significant slice of the estate, there may not be adequate care and financial provision for dependants and your favourite organisations and charities could miss out.”
It costs more than £3 million to run Millennium Gallery, Weston Park Museum and Graves Gallery every year.
“Funding for the care and conservation of the city’s historic collections already come from Sheffield City Council, Arts Council England and corporate sponsorship plus an army of dedicated supporters, added Suzanne.
“A gift in your Will, however big or small, to Museums Sheffield will allow the continuation of care and conservation of the city’s collections on behalf of the people of Sheffield, inspiration for future generations to come and the delivery of further ambitious exhibitions, events and pioneering learning and outreach activities.”
If you are interested in attending an exhibition viewing and would like to receive event invitations and updates from our Wills and Probate team please sign up here.
For no-obligation, impartial and confidential advice and information from Wake Smith specialist Wills Team please email [email protected]
