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Historically Lewis

Home of the Lewis County Historical Society

Planned Giving

Sample Bequest Language For Last Will And Testament

Bequests in a will for the benefit of the Lewis County Historical Society should be made as unrestricted bequests to the Lewis County Historical Society for its general charitable purposes. The Historical Society is a qualified, tax-exempt charity pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as such, your estate may receive an unlimited estate-tax charitable deduction for the amount of your gift. Your bequest through your will may be for a specific dollar amount, or you may consider leaving the Historical Society all or a percentage of the residuary of your estate, once all of your specific bequests have been distributed under the will. Please note that under the policy of the Historical Society and our by-laws, bequests to the Lewis County Historical Society cannot be restricted unless approved in advance by the Historical Society in writing.

Sample Specific Bequest Language in Will to the Lewis County Historical Society:

FOURTH [or appropriate paragraph in the will]: I give and bequeath to the Lewis County Historical Society TWO MILLION ($2,000,000) DOLLARS [or specific description of real property or personal property] for its general charitable purposes and without restriction.

Sample Residuary Bequest Language in Will Leaving 100% of the Residuary to the Lewis County Historical Society:

FOURTH [or appropriate paragraph in the will]: All of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, whether real or personal, wheresoever situate (my “residuary estate”) I give, devise, and bequeath to the Lewis County Historical Society for its general charitable purposes and without restriction.

Sample Residuary Bequest Language in Will Leaving a Percentage of the Residuary to the Lewis County Historical Society and others: FOURTH [or appropriate paragraph in the will]: All of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate whether real or personal, wheresoever situate (“my residuary estate”) I give, devise, and bequeath to the Lewis County Historical Society FIFTY PERCENT (50%) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and without restriction and FIFTY PERCENT (50%) of my residuary estate to ____[NAME OF OTHER BENEFICIARY] for its general charitable purposes and without restriction.