How to Word a Bequest to Your Favorite Parish, School or Archdiocesan Organization
The Three Types
Specific:
This is the most common type of bequest. Typically it is a dollar amount like $5,000 or some other specific asset like appreciated stock.
Sample wording for a specific bequest:
"With gratitude for all that God has given me, I give, devise, and bequeath to ______________ Parish {School or Archdiocesan Organization}, {city}, Wisconsin, a Wisconsin religious corporation, the sum of $____________ (or description of specific property)."
Residuary:
This type of bequest gives all or a specific percentage of assets remaining in the estate after debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests have been paid.
Sample wording for a residuary bequest:
"With gratitude for all that God has given me, I give, devise, and bequeath to ______________ Parish {School or Archdiocesan Organization}, {city}, Wisconsin, a Wisconsin religious corporation, 10% of the remainder of my estate after all debts, taxes, expenses and family bequests have been paid."
Contingent:
This bequest takes effect if those you have remembered in your Will are no longer living when you pass away.
Sample wording for a contingent bequest:
"If upon the death of the survivor of my spouse and I, or at any time thereafter, but prior to complete distrubution of my estate, there is no living descendant of mine, any property of my estate not vested or effectively appointed shall be distributed to: ______________ Parish {School or Archdiocesan Organization}, {city}, Wisconsin, a Wisconsin religious corporation."
All documents regarding gifts are required to use the legal name and address of the organization. In the case of gifts to the Archdiocese, the following information is provided:
Legal Name: Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Legal Address: 3501 S. Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235
Tax Identification Number: 39-0807221
Date of Incorporation: May 9, 1903
Contact: Bob Pfundstein at 414-769-3583 or pfundsteinb@archmil.org