Bequest Language
A bequest is a way to make a gift to the Sinsinawa Dominicans at the time of your death. It may be in the form of cash, securities, real estate, or other property. Such a bequest can be included in your original will or added by amendment (called a “codicil”). We advise you to obtain the assistance of an attorney when making or revising your will.
Sample Suggested Language
for Bequests to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc.
If you have questions about this material or require additional information about making a provision in your will to benefit the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Sister Mary Ellen Green, OP, would be pleased to work with you and your attorney. Information for contacting her is at the end of this page. Suggested language for various forms of bequests follows:
- Cash Bequest
• Specific dollar amount
“I give the sum of $___________________ to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate.” - Bequest of Property
• Specific property (personal property)
“I give (describe property) to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate.”
• Specific property (real estate)
“I devise all of my right, title, and interest in and to real estate located at (give address and describe property) to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate. - Residuary Bequest
• Share of or entire value of residue of your estate
“I devise and give (_____ percent) (the entire value) of the residue of my estate to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate.” - Contingent Bequest
• Leave the charitable organization whatever is left in the estate after the death of the primary heir(s), usually the surviving spouse.
Insert the conditional language in one or more of the above provisions. For example: “If my husband (wife) does not survive me, I give the sum of $_________________ to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate." - Restricted Use
• If the gift to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., is for a purpose other than Sinsinawa Dominican, Inc.’s, unrestricted use, insert the restriction in place of the words “to be used or disposed of as Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., deems appropriate.” For example: “I give the sum of $______________________ to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation, for the following use: ____________________________________________________
• In the event of a gift subject to a restriction, we would appreciate your consulting with us to determine if the restriction is appropriate for the Sinsinawa Dominicans. We also suggest including one of the following provisions:
A. “However, I impose no legal or equitable obligation in this regard.”
B. “If in the judgment of Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., it becomes, or is likely to become, impossible or impractical to accomplish the purposes of this gift, the income or principal, or both, may be used for such related purposes and in such manner as determined by Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc.”
Sample Bequest Wording to Save Taxes
“I instruct that all of my charitable gifts, bequests, and devises shall be made, to the extent possible, from property that constitutes income in respect of a decedent as that term is defined under the U.S. income tax laws.”
This language will provide an estate tax charitable deduction and will result in an income tax benefit as well. This is because property known as “income in respect of a decedent”—which includes IRAs and 401 (k) accounts—is subject to estate tax and is included in income by the person who receives the property after the death of the account owner. The combination of both taxes can approach 75 percent, leaving only 25 percent for the heirs. In contrast, the charity would receive 100 percent due to the income and estate tax savings.
The legal name, address, and Tax ID number for making a bequest to Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc., is as follows:
Sinsinawa Dominicans, Inc.
585 County Road Z
Sinsinawa, WI 53824-9701
Tax ID # 39-0816 854
For more information, contact
Sister Mary Ellen Green, OP
Director of Development
585 County Road Z
Sinsinawa, WI 53824-9701
(608) 748-4411, ext. 273
Toll-free (888) 887-6193
E-mail develop@sinsinawa.org