Macmillan as your Executor

Thank you for considering Macmillan for such an important responsibility. In some circumstances, we are able to act as Executor – particularly where Macmillan is named to receive a significant part of an estate, such as a residuary gift (a share of what’s left after other gifts and expenses). Learn more about different types of gifts in wills.

We’re deeply honoured when supporters wish to entrust us with this role and will always approach such decisions with care and consideration. If you’re thinking about this option, our Legacy team can talk you through what’s involved and help you decide what feels right for you.

You can contact us about appointing Macmillan as your Executor by email at leavealegacy@macmillan.org.uk, or by phone on 0300 1000 200 to arrange a call with our Legacy team.

Yes – in almost all cases, Macmillan can only act as Executor if we are receiving a significant gift, such as a residuary gift (a share of what’s left after other gifts and expenses). Learn more about different types of gifts in wills.

We’re incredibly grateful to anyone considering naming Macmillan as Executor of their will. It’s a significant role, and we’re honoured by the trust it reflects. Learn more about different types of gifts in wills.

Acting as Executor involves considerable responsibility, time, and legal risk. We must always act in the bests interests of people living with cancer, and therefore if the charity is not benefitting from the estate, we may not be able to take on the role.

We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and there may be other exceptional situations where we can assist. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please contact our Legacy team to discuss your situation in more detail.

You can reach us by email at leavealegacy@macmillan.org.uk, or phone 0300 1000 200 to arrange a call with the team.

We’re so grateful to everyone who chooses to remember Macmillan in their will – every gift, of any size, makes a difference for people living with cancer.

In most cases, Macmillan can only take on the role of Executor where we are due to receive a significant portion of the estate, such as a residuary gift (a share of what’s left after other gifts and expenses). Learn more about different types of gifts in wills. This is because acting as Executor carries legal and administrative responsibilities that are usually best handled by those who will inherit most of the estate.

If you’re leaving Macmillan a fixed amount, it will often make more sense for another trusted person (such as family members, friends, or the main beneficiaries) to act as Executor. However, we completely understand that every situation is different, and in some exceptional cases we may still be able to help.

If you’d like to discuss your circumstances or find out more about what’s involved, our Legacy team would be happy to talk it through with you. You can reach us by email at leavealegacy@macmillan.org.uk, or phone 0300 1000 200 to arrange a call with the team.

We suggest the following wording ‘I appoint Macmillan Cancer Support (charity number 261017) registered address Macmillan Cancer Support 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ to be the Executor of my will’.

To help us prepare responsibly, it really helps if you can share some information when you inform us that you have appointed Macmillan as your Executor. This ensures that when the time comes, we are in the best possible position to take the necessary actions on your behalf.

Please consider sharing the following with us:

• An electronic copy of your will (we cannot hold hard copies but can arrange for storage of your will with one of our panel firms if required)
• Confirmation of where you store the original will
• Basic details of your estate – by this we mean (i) do you own your home? (ii) what is the high-level estimate value of your estate? and (iii) are all your assets based in the UK?
• If applicable, whether you have registered a letter of wishes with any pension provider(s)
• If applicable, whether you have any other letter of wishes and confirmation of where this is stored
• Have you told any family and / or friends about your decision to appoint Macmillan?
• When the time comes, is there anyone locally we can contact who might be able to help with practicalities such as access to your home?
• Confirmation that you have read these FAQs and understand the terms (particularly in respect of scenarios where we may have to step down)

You can contact us by email at leavealegacy@macmillan.org.uk, or phone 0300 1000 200 to arrange a call with the team.

We promise to keep this data safe and treat all this information with strict confidentiality. Our Privacy Policy explains how we keep this promise.

Yes. We work with a small panel of vetted law firms. They’re chosen for their expertise, quality of service, and value for money – we review them regularly.

Macmillan can act as the Administrator of the estate in cases where the named Executor does not wish (or is unable) to take an active role in the administration of the estate, or where they want to step down as Executor. An Administrator is a similar role to an Executor.

There are three ways in which this can happen.

1. The named Executor can sign a power of attorney for Macmillan to deal with the administration of the estate on their behalf. The named Executor would remain an Executor but would be handing over responsibility for the estate to Macmillan.
2. If Macmillan is a residuary beneficiary of the estate and the named Executor decides to renounce (step down) from its role, then Macmillan would have the right to act as Administrator of the estate, by virtue of being a residuary beneficiary.
3. If Macmillan is not a residuary beneficiary of the estate but all the residuary beneficiaries agree that Macmillan should act as Administrator, the Executor can renounce, and the beneficiaries can consent to Macmillan acting.

The legal language used when dealing with wills can be complex. To find out more about some common terms used check out our glossary.

While an Executor is responsible for administering the estate, a Trustee is also required if a trust arises from the will. The Trustees are responsible for looking after the assets within the trust for the benefit of the named beneficiaries.

• Where a trust will arise only for the purposes of selling all the assets and distributing the residuary estate to the named beneficiaries, it is common to appoint the same person or organisations to both roles. Macmillan Cancer Support is a Trust Corporation and therefore can take on the role of Trustee – we would gladly be appointed as both Executor and Trustee in this scenario.
• Where a trust will arise as a longer-term commitment, for example if the will makes provision for a minor to receive funds from the trust at a future date (i.e. upon a minor attaining a certain age), please contact us before naming Macmillan as Trustee in this capacity.

Please accept our deepest sympathies – we really appreciate your help notifying us at this difficult time. If you could contact us by email at leavealegacy@macmillan.org.uk, or phone 0300 1000 200 to arrange a call with our Legacy team, we will be able to explain the next steps.

Our website has more information on coping with bereavement. You can also get help from the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000, 7 days a week between 8am and 8pm.