# Just under 14% of probated estates with Wills currently charitable, Smee & Ford data shows

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/08/07/just-under-14-of-probated-estates-with-wills-currently-charitable-smee-ford-data-shows/
- Published: 2023-08-07T09:59:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Smee & Ford data up to the end of July 2023 shows that approximately 13.8% of 
probated estates with Wills are charitable. This is despite fewer cases being processed
than at the same point in 2022.**

The number has grown by 1.2% since June’s Legacy Strategy Summit, when [Smee & Ford](https://smeeandford.com/)
reported that it was below the usual level, at around 12.6%.

Smee & Ford’s data also shows that the value of charitable estates has increased
too in recent weeks, rising from the £9.3bn reported in June to £11.2bn by the end
of July.

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This means that the percentage of charitable estates and bequest volumes are currently
tracking in line with 2022, with the number of bequests sitting at a proportionate
level to the number of cases Smee & Ford has processed compared with last year.

It will continue to track and provide updates to the sector as it receives more 
records from HMCTS.

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