There are several ways you can make a gift through your will or trust to suit your goals, including a specific gift and a contingent gift.
Specific gift
You describe exactly what kind of gift you want to leave to a specific individual or organization and the designated source. If you want to leave a specific dollar amount from a specific source or a particular item, this is the type of bequest you would use.
Here’s an example: Jean states in her will: “I leave my stamp collection to my grandson, Greg. I leave my beach house to my daughter, Maria. I leave my securities to Best Friends Animal Society.”
Contingent gift
This type of bequest is fulfilled if certain conditions are met. For instance, if your primary beneficiary does not survive you, you can indicate your next choice through a contingent bequest. Here’s an example:
Robert states in his will: “I give all the rest, residue, and remainder of my real and personal estate to my wife, Susan, if she survives me; if not, then I give 50% in equal shares to my children who survive me and 50% to Best Friends Animal Society.”
For your convenience, we’ve provided some suggested language below that you could use in your will or trust. Please feel free to adapt this language with your attorney to fit your individual situation.
Suggested language: “I give to Best Friends Animal Society, a Utah corporation with its principal offices at 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741, (the sum of $_____) (all or _____% of my residual estate) to be used for its general purposes.”
Best Friends Animal Society is a charitable organization located in Kanab, Utah, and exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax identification number: 23-7147797
