From determining who inherits your grandmother’s ring, to who manages your estate, to who becomes legal guardian of your minor children, thoughtful estate planning can express your caring intentions and create a transformative legacy. For the charitable-minded, this might include making bequests to continue supporting your favorite charities.
We’re always honored when donors reach out to ask us: “How do I include the sisters in my will? What are my options?” The short answer is that there’s no “right” way to include a charity—just the way that best reflects your intentions.
Your Priorities. Your Plan.
When including a charity in your will consider how it fits into your overall goals and priorities. You might want to do the math and consider the results of various scenarios. Some of the options for how and what to give are:
- Name a specific dollar amount
- Donate a percentage of your estate (even 1% can be a transformative gift!)
- Leave the residue of your estate, or a percentage of it, after all specific bequests are fulfilled
- Make a contingent bequest that only happens if certain conditions occur
As your life changes you can always adjust what you first decided. Wills and codicils with these types of instructions ensure your desires are known when you can no longer speak for yourself. Making or updating a will can be empowering — even exciting. After all, it’s your documented hope for the future expressed for the people and causes you love the most.
Where to start
Always talk to your attorney. If you don’t have one, ask your trusted advisors, relatives and friends for recommendations. As with anything like this, one size does not fit all. State laws and your personal circumstances vary. Remember, this is your plan!
Whatever your stage of life, taking a little time to document your wishes today can bring you peace of mind—and make a lasting difference for others tomorrow.
There are many religious groups with Holy Cross as part of their name. If you are including the Sisters of the Holy Cross in any of your estate plans, make sure they go to the right organization:
Legal Name: Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc.
Tax ID: 35-0868159