Bequests: Complete Description

If you’d like to help build the long-term financial strength of Children's Hospital, but feel that you cannot make a significant gift today then your solution may be a charitable bequest. A bequest under your will or revocable trust can complement your lifestyle and commitments today while supporting Children's Hospital tomorrow.

Donors choose a bequest because:

It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
It is revocable so you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time
It is private so your will is not filed or made public until your death.

Your giving options are increased:

A bequest can deliver a specific gift to Children's Hospital. Alternately, it can deliver a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate after taxes, expenses, and specific bequests have been paid.
You can designate a particular program or department at Children's Hospital to benefit from your bequest. Or, you can make your gift unrestricted and allow us to use it for the needs and opportunities most relevant when your gift is paid to us.

Is a bequest deductible?

A bequest from a will or a trust distribution to Children's Hospital is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will is your instruction manual to survivors about how you want your property distributed. It is a revocable, private document that only takes affect after your death.

A revocable trust is an entity that holds assets during your lifetime, then transfers ownership of them — or benefit from them — upon your death.

There is no difference between wills and trusts in how they make charitable transfers. In some states the probate and distribution process is simpler with a revocable trust. Your advisors can guide you in choosing which vehicle will work better for you.

Planning points

The more narrowly you restrict the use of your bequest, the greater the risk that the program you want to benefit today won’t be as vital or as relevant when we receive your gift in the future. Please talk with us as you are drafting your will if you want to restrict the use of your bequest.
Similarly, please let us know in advance if you intend to bequeath real estate, a business interest, or other specialized property to Children's Hospital.
The remaining balance in your retirement plan makes a tax-wise gift to Children's Hospital, but don’t direct it to us through your will or trust, as that will include the plan in your taxable estate. Instead, use a successor beneficiary form.

What if I've already written my will or trust?

You can amend a will or trust to make a gift without rewriting the entire document. Your attorney can prepare a simple document, called a codicil, which adds a new bequest to us while reaffirming the other terms of your will. Similarly, an attorney can prepare an amendment to a revocable trust to add Children's Hospital as a beneficiary.