Wills and Charitable Bequests
A will is a very powerful instrument – it reflects what you care about, what you believe in, what you have supported during your lifetime. Family members and close friends are usually the primary beneficiaries of a person’s will, as they ought to be, but often a beloved charitable organization also benefits. However, no one benefits if the will is never written! A properly drafted will should contain provisions that match your goals and objectives – make sure your attorney knows all your wishes on these issues.
Without a Last Will and Testament, the court system appoints a personal representative and makes the necessary decisions on who benefits from your estate. If you do not have a will prepared, all the people and organizations you care about now are in danger of being left out in the future. Just telling your family what you want isn’t enough, put it in writing!
There are a number of ways to include the School Sisters of Notre Dame in your will. You may choose to give a specific amount, a percent or a portion of the residue. Here are a few examples to consider:
- Special Gift
I give the amount of $______ to the School Sisters of Notre Dame. - Percentage Gift
I give ______% (percent) of my estate to the School Sisters of Notre Dame. - Residuary Gift
I give the residue (all that is leftover after all other gifts are made) of my estate to the School Sisters of Notre Dame. - Variations of the above gifts can be worked out with your family and legal advisors.
In addition to the very significant benefit of knowing that your wishes will be carried out and that you will be supporting the School Sisters of Notre Dame for years to come, you will be saving your inheritors undue stress and tax consequences. This is a “win – win” situation, for you, for your family and for us.
Bless you for considering this option of support to the School Sisters of Notre Dame.