Bequest Language

Printable Bequest Language

SUGGESTED BEQUEST WORDING

A bequest is simple and convenient. You have a number of options.

You can make a bequest for a specific dollar amount or for a percentage of your estate. You can designate your bequest for general use, or you can restrict its use. Many individuals establish endowments that honor the memory of a family member or another loved one. These endowments live forever because only the income is used annually. Because a will is an important legal document, you should seek an attorney's help. To assist you with this important process, we offer some suggested bequest wording below.

Following are some examples of various types of bequests:

Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or personal property.

Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.

Including the Natural History Museums in your will

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit the Natural History Museums.

Each individual situation is unique, and therefore these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with the Natural History Museums to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Natural History Museums, a not-for-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Natural History Museums for the general purposes of the Natural History Museums, located in Los Angeles, California.

Percentage of estate for specific purposes with an endowment provision
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Natural History Museums, a not-for-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to establish the ____________________ ENDOWED FUND. The principal of this Fund shall be invested as part of the Natural History Museums' permanent endowment and in accordance with its policies. The income therefrom is to be used by the Natural History Museums, located in Los Angeles, California, for ____________________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time.

If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Natural History Museums' Board of Directors may redesignate the purpose for which the Fund's income may be distributed, provided that the Fund shall continue to bear the name ________________ ENDOWED FUND and that the amended terms shall adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Natural History Museums, a not-for-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California, the sum of $__________ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of __________ stock) to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Natural History Museums for the general purposes of the Natural History Museums and their related entities.

Specific amount for specific purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Natural History Museums, a not-for-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California, the sum of $__________ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of __________ stock) to be used for ___________________ _________________________________ at the Natural History Museums.

If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Natural History Museums' Board of Directors may redesignate the purpose to adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

To assist you with your plans, the Natural History Museums can provide sample language for the program or area you wish to support. This confidential service is available to you without obligation.

Designating the purpose of a bequest:

Unrestricted: The most useful type of bequest is unrestricted, allowing the funds to be allocated by the Natural History Museums wherever the need is greatest.

Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special program or purpose that reflects your personal or professional interest (for example: faculty research and development).

If the bequest is restricted to a specific purpose, it is important that the following wording be added at the end of the provision. This will ensure that, in the remote possibility a field of study or specified purpose may cease to need funds in the future, an alternate use for the bequest may be determined.

"..... for so long as the Board of Directors of the Natural History Museums determines that the need exists. Should the need no longer exist, said Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above."