Sample Bequest Language

General Bequests

General Bequests are legacies left to certain people or causes that come from the general value of the estate, and are made by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a fixed percentage of your estate to the cause of your choice.

General bequest language:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to NAME OF MINISTRY/LOCATION, the sum of $_____ (or a description of the specific asset), for the benefit of NAME OF MINISTRY and its general purposes."

Residuary Bequests

Residuary Bequests are made when you intend to leave the residue portion of your assets after other terms of the will have been satisfied.

Residuary bequest language:

"All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to NAME OF MINISTRY/LOCATION, for its general purposes."

Specific Bequests

Specific Bequests are made when a particular item or property is bequeathed for a designated purpose. 

Specific bequest language:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to NAME OF MINISTRY/LOCATION, the sum of $____ (or a description of a specific asset), for the benefit of NAME OF MINISTRY to be used for the following purpose: (state the purpose).  If at any time in the judgment of the trustees of NAME OF MINISTRY it is impossible or impracticable to carry out exactly the designated purpose, they shall determine an alternative purpose closest to the designated purpose."

Contingency Bequests

Contingency Bequests allow you to leave a portion of your estate to a particular charity in your named beneficiary does not survive you.

Contingency bequest language:

"I devise and bequeath the residue of the property, real and personal and whenever situated, owned by me at my death, to (name of beneficiary), if (she/he) survives me.  If (name of beneficiary) does not survive me, I devise and bequeath my residuary estate to NAME OF MINISTRY/LOCATION, for its general purposes.

Other Forms of Bequest Language (Adobe PDF)