Bequests: Wills and Trusts
Goal: Defer a gift until after your
lifetime
Benefit: Your donations are fully exempt
from federal estate tax and you retain control of your assets
Diagram
Perhaps the worst word ever heard in probate is intestate, dying without a will. Dying intestate prolongs the distribution of assets and in some cases precludes heirs from benefiting from a decedent's estate. Dying intestate empowers the state in which the person died to distribute the assets of the person who died according to the laws of that state.
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Everyone should have a will. If you have not written a will yet, regardless of your charitable intent, please consider this for it is a gift to your loved ones. A will ensures that assets are distributed as planned, and that other property is passed on per the decedent's wishes. A will ensures that all your assets are distributed as you planned and wanted.
David and Ann established a small fund that would help provide for some expenses with the hope they could add to it in the future. They had initially made an outright gift of some appreciated stock, taking advantage of the tax benefits, and later changed their will to include a bequest that will magnify the fund tenfold.
Ann: "We felt good about helping through establishing an endowment fund. But we had no idea what the result would bring to us."
David: "Over
the years, we have since met with some of the staff and volunteers.
I can't describe how good it feels to sit with these young people, 
to
hear them describe their dreams and ambitions. To realize that we have
become a part of their future and that they have become a part of our
family."
Ann: "I feel like we really have accomplished something good!"
In addition to enabling them to satisfy their charitable desires, this was a wise financial move as they needed to retain control of their assets for future contingencies. While they knew the future is uncertain, Ann and David wanted to be sure that what they didn't need would go to help others. They also understood the importance of having a will.
For information, please visit our living trust page. Look at examples of bequest language for more information. Also, please download our PDF brochures, Haven Hospice Bequest Arrangements (some suggestions on how bequests can be structured), Charitable Endowment Insurance Policy (our PDF regarding notification for insurance policies and instructions for the use of the proceeds), and Haven Bequest Letter to Attorney (a sample letter to send to your attorney to add Haven as a beneficiary to you estate documents. There is also some additional information available about the benefits of utilizing a charitable bequest and how bequests enable you to keep control of your assets. Also, bequests are often used to build an endowment, a fund that provides a legacy for you and provides for the future of Haven. Codicils are a simple and easy way to make changes to an existing will.
Using funds from a retirement account to make bequests is often a good strategy. If there is a balance in your retirement account at your death, not only is there a potential income tax burden, but there may be estate taxes as well. Estimates are that taxes could eat up as much as 70-75% of retirement assets under certain circumstances. Careful planning concerning retirement funds needs to be done. Please visit our retirement page additional information regarding retirement assets.
Another option to consider in making a gift is to use life insurance policies that are no longer needed or necessary. Please visit our insurance page for more information about different ways to make a gift of life insurance.
Often, donors are surprised both by how wonderful they feel about helping others and by the size of the gift they are able to make through a bequest. Ann and David found their experiences with charitable giving enriched their hearts and lives.
Return to the Legacy Giving home page or to the Quick Guide to Legacy Gifts.
We would like to help make certain your intentions are executed accordingly. For more information about the importance of having a will, please email or call the Vice President of Development, Sharon A. Jones, at 352 379-6226. We are happy to answer questions and offer suggestions confidentially based on your personal circumstances.
Please note, individual financial circumstances will vary. The information on this site does not constitute legal or tax advice, either in whole or in part. Donor stories and photographs are for purposes of illustration only. As with all tax and estate planning, please consult your attorney or estate specialist. All material is copyrighted and is for viewing purposes only. Use of this site signifies your agreement with the terms of use. The content in this Gift Planning section has been developed for Haven Hospice by Future Focus. Please report any problems to section webmaster.