Bequests
A Lifetime Gift
One of the easiest ways to make a lifetime gift is by bequest. Directing your attorney to include The Maryland SPCA in your will when it is drafted or revised is simple. You can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a portion of the residual of your estate, whichever is best for your circumstances. You can also bequeath specific assets to the SPCA including stocks, real estate, or other tangible property. All bequests pass to The Maryland SPCA free of estate taxes, and lower the overall size of your estate for tax purposes. If you do choose to include The Maryland SPCA in your estate plans, please inform your attorney that our full, legal name is The Maryland SPCA of Baltimore City, Inc. It is very important to be specific because many animal groups have similar names, and most animal welfare organizations are independent from one another. Bequests made to other groups do not benefit the work we do.
Example: Joan supports several charities and has two nieces. She wants to make provisions for all of them in her estate plans. Her estate is comprised of a house, some stocks, and two bank accounts. The current value of her estate is about $300,000. Because Joan doesn’t know what the value of her estate will be upon her death, she stipulates that her two nieces each receive $25,000 upon her death, and the remainder be divided equally between the five charities she supports, including The Maryland SPCA.
Sample Bequest Language
Your attorney can help you draft language specific to your circumstances, but here are examples of options to include The Maryland SPCA in your estate plans.
Specific Bequest
“I hereby give and bequeath to The Maryland SPCA of Baltimore City, Inc., a nonprofit Maryland Corporation located at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211, the sum of $_____ to be used for its general purposes.
Some individuals also designate a percentage of their estate rather than a specific amount.
Residuary Bequest
“I hereby give and bequeath to The Maryland SPCA of Baltimore City, Inc., a nonprofit Maryland Corporation located at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211, al the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, after providing fro the specific provisions of this will to be used for its general purposes.” For a gift of less than 100 percent of the rest, residue and remainder of the estate, delete “all” and state the fraction.
How to Proceed
About the examples: The examples are only illustrations of the benefits. In all cases, you should consult your adviser. The Maryland SPCA can provide detailed profiles tailored to your circumstances at no cost or obligation. Email or call David Drake, Director of Development, The Maryland SPCA at 410-235-8826, ext. 132 for more information.
