Wills and Bequests

The easiest and most common planned gift is a simple bequest in your will. Bequests can be included in a new will or added to an existing will through the use of a codicil. The most popular forms are listed below with sample language:

• A specific bequest leaves a fixed amount:
            “I give, devise and bequeath to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc., the sum of $____ to be used to carry out its mission and goals.”
  
• A percentage bequest distributes the assets, whatever their value, in the same proportions to each beneficiary:
            “I give, devise and bequeath to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc., ____% of my estate to be used to carry out its mission and goals.”
  
• A residuary bequest refers to whatever is left in the estate after all specific bequests have been fulfilled. Even if you have designated a specific bequest to the sisters, you can also leave all or part of the residue of the estate:
            “All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise and bequeath to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc., to be used to carry out its mission and goals.”
  
• A contingent bequest is usually received only when heirs predecease you or when another stated condition occurs:
            “If any of the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, I hereby bequeath his/her share of my estate to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc., to be used to carry out its mission and goals.”

Ask your attorney about these and other variations in making bequests to charity.

Download our helpful brochure, Making a Bequest (495KB-downloadable PDF).

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