MORE INFORMATION

Bequests do not reduce current assets.
Many Trust donors want to make a greater effort to support us, but are not in a position to do so right now. A gift by will or living trust means that you have all of your assets available for any needs that might arise. A bequest means that you make the gift when you no longer need to have the funds available.

Bequests can be made after taking care of family.
Family always comes first. You can remember the Trust by including a percentage of the remainder of your estate or trust after providing for your family. Only if there is enough for family and others important to you will the gift to the Trust occur.

Bequests may reduce estate taxes.
Giving a charitable bequest can decrease the size of your estate and possibly reduce your estate taxes. Certain kinds of gifts, such as US savings bonds, retirement funds, annuities and some mortgages can generate significant income taxes and even estate taxes if given to living individuals in your estate plans but will be fully tax free if given to the Trust. (Please consult your tax professional or estate planner for details.)

Bequests can be easily modified at any time until death.
If your circumstances change, you can easily modify your will at any time. Changes can be made inexpensively by drafting a new will or living trust or by amending your existing document.

TYPES OF BEQUESTS

Making a decision to include the Trust in your estate plans is a personal choice. There are a number of bequest options that you can include in your will or living trust to help you instruct your family and friends on what to do with the assets that you have accumulated in this life.

Below are a few examples:

Residuary Bequest:
Give a ____% or all of the “rest, residuary and remainder” of your estate to the Trust after taking care of all other gifts, taxes and other specific gifts.

Outright Bequests:
Give a specific amount, asset or estate percentage to the Trust.

Contingent Bequest:
Plan just in case. For example: “Should I outlive my spouse or partner, $____ or ____% of my residual estate goes to the Trust.”

Living Trusts:
Include a gift to the Trust in your living trust.

Retirement Fund Gift:
Consider naming the Trust as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401k, 403b, company retirement or profit sharing plan. If you are making any charitable bequest, it is better to make such gifts first from retirement plans to the extent practical.

Insurance:
Consider naming the Trust as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss bequests further, please contact Joanna McCarthy, Chief Advancement Advisor at 508.693.1117.