CREATE A LEGACY THROUGH A BEQUEST
"Generosity isn’t just financial—it’s a lifestyle of goodness, justice, and compassion." (Psalm 112:5)
BEQUESTS
Create a legacy through a bequest - a gift in your will. There are many reasons to make a bequest. A bequest allows you to honor a loved one, while providing critical support to your parish, school, or Catholic charity.
Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on and your loved ones will know your intent. Lastly, you avoid leaving a tat burden to your loved ones.
HONOR YOUR
LOVED ONES
SUPPORT YOUR PARISH OR SCHOOL
SUPPORT A CHARITY
Your bequest can be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. You can designate your bequest for general use, or you can restrict it. Many individuals establish endowments that honor the memory of a family member or a loved one. These endowments live forever because only the portion of the fund is distributed each year.
HOW IT WORKS
DONOR
Include us in your will or trust
WILL OR TRUST
A gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime
FAMILY HEIRS
NONPROFIT
TYPES OF BEQUESTS
SPECIFIC
This is the most common type of bequest. Typically, it is a specific dollar amount or some other specific asset like appreciated stock.
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.
CONTINGENT
This bequest takes effect if those you have remembered in your Will are no longer living when you pass away.
PLAN YOUR ESTATE
Do you have a plan for your estate when you die?
Only about 32% of Americans have a will or some sort of an estate planning document.
But without a will, you have no say in how your assets will be distributed to your loved ones, the Catholic mission, or to the causes you care about. You also risk creating unnecessary stress and conflict for your family during a difficult time.
That's why you need a last will and testament — a legal document that lets you express your wishes for your property and affairs after your death.
On Legacy Sunday, we'll explain the basics of wills, what they can and can't do, and how to create one that reflects your goals and needs.
Questions to consider:
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What is a last will and testament?
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What assets are governed by a will?
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What assets are not governed by a will?
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How to name guardians and provide financial support for your children.
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Why do you need a will?
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What is probate and how does a will affect it?
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What happens if you die without a will?
WE CAN HELP YOU
Set aside time to focus on planning your will and testament, essentially taking a proactive approach to managing your estate and deciding how your assets will be distributed after you pass, often with an emphasis on considering your personal values and the legacy you want to leave behind beyond just the financial aspect.
BEYOND JUST FINANCES
While "estate planning" often focuses solely on asset distribution, we encourage parishioners to think about the intangible values and life lessons they want to pass on to their loved ones.
MEANINGFUL
REFLECTION
We encourage you to contemplate your priorities, family dynamics, and charitable giving intentions when planning your estate.
FAMILY
DISCUSSIONS
We hope to encourage you to initiate important conversations with family members about their wishes and expectations regarding inheritance.
PROFESSIONAL
GUIDANCE
Consulting with a lawyer or financial advisor can be beneficial to ensure our discussion are comprehensive and legally sound.
HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY
I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to the Legacy of Faith Endowment Fund. It’s a meaningful way to support the future of our church, ensuring it can continue to serve the community and nurture faith for generations to come. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful mission.