skip to main content
Text Resize

Sample Bequest Language

An excellent way for you to support MDA's mission is to give a gift through your will or trust. One significant benefit of making a gift by bequest is that it allows you to continue to use the property during your lifetime. Another benefit is that you are able to leave a lasting legacy.
 

Types of Bequests


There are a number of ways you can make a bequest to MDA.
 
Specific Bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000 to MDA.

Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves giving a specific percentage of your overall estate to MDA. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to MDA.

Residual Bequest. A residual bequest is paid from the balance of an estate all other obligations (including specific bequests) have been paid. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to MDA.

Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is a bequest that is only made if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to MDA.
 

Bequest Benefits

 
A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests to qualified charities are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.
 

Bequest Language


In order to make a bequest, you should speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest to MDA in your estate plan. We have provided some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.

1. Specific Bequest

If you are considering making an outright bequest to MDA, we recommend the following language:
 
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

I hereby give, devise and bequeath [INSERT DOLLAR AMOUNT] to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for its general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Personal Property

I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for its general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Real Estate

I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at [ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY] to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for its general use and purpose.
2. Percentage Bequest

If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to MDA, we recommend the following language:
 
I hereby give, devise and bequeath [INSERT PERCENTAGE] of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for iss general use and purpose.
3. Residual Bequest
 
I hereby give, devise and bequeath [INSERT PERCENTAGE] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for its general use and purpose.
4. Contingent Bequest
 
If [INSERT PRIMARY BENEFICIARY] does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath [DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY OR AMOUNT] to Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit organization located at 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073, Chicago, IL, 60607, Federal Tax ID #13-1665552, for its general use and purpose.

Restricted Bequests


If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give that meet your charitable objectives. We will work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.

If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give MDA flexibility should it no longer be possible for our MDA to use your gift as you originally intended:
 
If, in the judgment of MDA, it shall become impossible for MDA to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, MDA may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as Muscular Dystrophy Association determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
 

Contact Us


Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to MDA or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.

If you have already included a bequest for MDA in your estate plan, please contact us to let us know. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift.
 
scriptsknown