Bequest Language

Printable Bequest Language

A bequest—a gift in your will—is simple and convenient. You can create a legacy through a bequest.

Your bequest can be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. If you do not designate your gift for a specific use, it will be added to the general endowment. You also may want to restrict its use. Many individuals establish endowments that honor the memory of a family member or a loved one. These endowments live forever because only the portion of the fund available for spending each year is paid out annually.

Examples of various types of bequests

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

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

Including The Lovett School in your will

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit Lovett.

Each individual situation is unique; therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to discuss your intentions with us at Lovett to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Because a will is an important legal document, you should seek an attorney's help. To assist you with this important process, we offer suggested wording below.

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes
"I give to The Lovett School, a nonprofit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia, _____ percent (%) of the remainder of my estate for its general charitable purposes.”

Percentage of estate to establish an endowed fund
"I give to The Lovett School, a nonprofit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia, _____ percent (%) of the remainder of my estate to establish the ________ Endowed Fund. The portion of this fund available for spending each year shall be used to ___________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time."

“If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue administering the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Lovett Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided that the terms adhere as closely as possible to the original intent.”

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes
"I give to The Lovett School, a nonprofit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia, the sum of $_______ in cash (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used for its general charitable purposes."

Specific amount for specific purposes
"I give, devise, and bequeath to The Lovett School, a nonprofit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia, the sum of $_______ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used for __________________________________________ at Lovett."

“If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue administering the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Lovett Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided the terms adhere as closely as possible to my original intent."

Designating the purpose of a bequest:

Unrestricted: The most useful type of bequest is unrestricted, allowing the funds to be allocated to the general endowment—which supports the overall budget of the school every year. This allows Lovett to have the most flexibility, especially as changes occur in the coming years and decades.

Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special program or purpose that reflects your interests (specific departments, named endowment, or financial aid).

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 specified purpose may cease to need funds in the future, an alternate use for the bequest may be determined.

"If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue administering the Fund for the purpose designated, then Lovett Board of Trustees may redesignate the purpose—provided the terms adhere as closely as possible to my original intent."

Please contact Courtney Ferencik, Senior Director of Major Gifts, at courtney.ferencik@lovett.org to discuss your intentions and to share the news of your future gift. Thank you!