Sample Bequest Language

An excellent way to support ministries we are passionate about is to leave a bequest in your will, living trust, or with a codicil. One significant benefit of making a gift by bequest is that it allows you to continue to use the property you will leave to charity during your life. Another benefit is that you are able to leave a lasting legacy.

There are a number of ways a bequest can be made. Update the examples below to reflect a gift given to your ministry and use them to share examples of what to include in a will.

TYPES OF BEQUESTS

Specific Bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property, or a gift of a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000.

Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate.

Residual Bequest. A residual bequest is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests.

Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is made to charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to a chosen ministry.

BEQUEST LANGUAGE

In order to make a bequest, you should speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest in your estate plan. Here is some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.

1. Specific Bequest

If you are considering making an outright bequest, we recommend the following language:

Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID #____________, for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Personal Property

I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Real Estate

I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.

2. Percentage Bequest

If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Faith Foundation Northwest, we recommend the following language:

I hereby give, devise, and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID #______________________, for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.

3. Residual Bequest

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID # _________, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.

4. Contingent Bequest

If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Faith Foundation Northwest, a nonprofit organization located at P.O. Box 656, Cashmere, WA, 98815, Federal Tax ID # _________, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Faith Foundation Northwest's general use and purpose.