Sample Gift Language for your Will or Trust

A gift to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes in your will or revocable trust proclaims your confidence that we will continue to serve our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. If you choose to tell us, you do not need to tell us the amount of your bequest. A bequest:

• is easy to arrange.
• will not alter your current lifestyle in any way.
• can be easily modified to address your changing needs.

Residual Gift Language

A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, located in Alexandria, VA, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support.

Specific Gift Language

Naming St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy:

I give and devise to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, located in Alexandria, VA, the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support.

Contingent Gift Language

St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School or its affiliates can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, located in Alexandria, VA, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language

You may name St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.

Naming St. Stephen's and St. Agnes as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming St. Stephen's and St. Agnes as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor's death the plan passes to support St. Stephen's and St. Agnes free of both estate and income taxes.

Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator. When you are finished, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes.

Customized Language

If you or your attorney would like St. Stephen's and St. Agnes to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please contact us.

Interested in a codicil? Please click here to download.