BEQUEST LANGUAGE

for supporters of Reasons To Believe
and their legal advisors

Types of Estate Planning Instruments Used To Make Bequests

Most people who make bequests do so through their wills. If you already have a will, you can add a bequest to Reasons To Believe by means of a simple document called a codicil. In some cases, donors who have revocable living trusts choose to make a future gift to RTB through the equivalent of a bequest, namely a charitable distribution provision in the trust agreement. Usually, an existing trust agreement can easily be amended to include such a provision.  Regardless of the instrument you use, be sure to seek the assistance of your attorney.

Forms of Bequests

  • Specific sum of money: “I give to Reasons To Believe the sum of [insert here the exact dollar amount].”
  • Specific property such as real estate, stocks, bonds, works of art, or other items:
    “I give to Reasons To Believe [insert here a description of the particular property].”
  •  Rest and residue of your estate after paying debts, taxes, expenses, and other bequests:
    “I give to Reasons To Believe all [or a stated percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.”
  • Contingent bequest if you are not survived by certain individuals:
    “If [name/s of primary beneficiary/ies] do/es not survive me, or shall die within ninety (90) days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to Reasons To Believe [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate].”

Bequests for Restricted Purposes

If the bequest is for a restricted purpose, use the relevant language above and designate the particular program or area of activity to be supported.

Example:  “I give to Reasons To Believe the sum of [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate], to be used for the production of printed materials/books.”

It is recommended that the following paragraph be added if the bequest is for a restricted purpose.

“If, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of Reasons To Believe, it should become impossible, inadvisable, or impractical to use this gift the specified purpose(s), then the Board may in its discretion use the gift for other purposes, keeping in mind the original wishes of the donor. In any such alternative application, the support provided by this bequest shall be clearly identified with the name of [donor’s name].”

Bequests are vital to Reasons To Believe as it embraces the future. When RTB is named in a will or other estate planning instrument, we always appreciate receiving a copy of the relevant portion of the document. Copies may be sent to:

Reasons To Believe
Ministry Advancement
731 East Arrow Highway
Glendora, California  91740

For more information about bequests and other planned giving arrangements, please contact us.