Ways you can define a charitable gift in your estate plan

There are several ways that you can define the amount of your charitable gift to Love Justice International. They are:

• A gift of a particular amount of money. For example, you give $25,000.
• A gift of a specific item or items. For example, you give 1,000 shares of ABC Corporation.
• A gift that will be made only if one or more conditions are met. For example, you give $25,000 provided we still offer a particular program or service, or your spouse does not survive you.
• A gift that will be made from the remainder of your estate once all other bequests, debts, and taxes have been paid. For example, you give 25% of the remainder of your estate. Often called a "residuary bequest," this approach assures that your family will be taken care of before your estate makes a bequest to us. 

Ways to specify how we may use your bequest

You have several options for telling Love Justice International how we may use your bequest once we receive it. They are:

• An unrestricted bequest – This is a gift for our general purposes. This can be the most useful kind of gift because it allows us to put your gift to the best possible use at the time we receive it.
• A restricted bequest – This is a gift for a specific use, such as a special project or program that is important to you. It is best for you to consult with us before placing restrictions on your bequest to be sure we can carry out your wishes.
• An honorary bequest – This is a gift made in honor of someone else. Any form of bequest can also be an honorary bequest. We would be pleased to recognize the people you wish to honor with your gift.

Make sure we can carry out your wishes

It is very important that your bequest be accurately and clearly described in your estate plan so that we can carry out your wishes as you intended. We are pleased to consult with you regarding the terms of your bequest to make sure that we will be able to carry out your intentions. In order to avoid any possible question that your bequest is to our organization, be sure to include our full legal name and our federal tax identification number in your bequest.

• Legal name: Love Justice International
• Current Address: P.O. Box 67195, Lincoln, NE 68506
• Tax identification number: 71-0982808

Sample Bequest Language

We are happy to provide you with the following language to assist you and your attorney. You have complete flexibility to change your bequest at any time. If circumstances change in a way that makes you want to revise your gift to us, you can.

The following is intended to help you and your attorney in drafting a bequest that satisfies your interests. As you consult your attorney on the selection of appropriate wording to reflect your own goals and intentions regarding Love Justice International, be sure our organization’s correct legal name appears in all final documents as:

“Love Justice International, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Montana, Federal Tax Identification Number: 71-0982808.”

General Bequest of a stated sum of money may be worded:

"I, _____[name], of [city, state, ZIP], hereby give/bequeath __________ [written amount or percentage of estate] to Love Justice International, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Montana, Federal Tax Identification Number: 71-0982808, for its general purposes.”

Specific Bequest of a certain asset from your estate may be worded:

“I give to Love Justice International, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Montana, Federal Tax Identification Number 71-0982808, [insert here a description of the particular property].”

Residuary Bequest, after other bequests and expenses have been paid, may be worded:

“I give to Love Justice International, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Montana, Federal Tax Identification Number 71-0982808, all [or a portion] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.”

Contingent Bequest if the person making the will is 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 Love Justice International, a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Montana, Federal Tax Identification Number 71-0982808, [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate].”

More questions? 

Contact Stephen Mortland, VP for Development, smortland@lovejustice.ngo