Will or Trust
Including Four Seasons in your Will or Trust (known as a Bequest)
is one of the Most Popular Ways to Create a Charitable Estate Gift.
How a Bequest Works
Inform your estate planning attorney that you would like to include a gift to Four Seasons in your will or trust. If you have recently updated your estate planning documents, your attorney can amend your documents through a codicil that includes Four Seasons.
Your bequest could be for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset. You can also name Four Seasons as one of your primary beneficiaries, a remainder beneficiary, or a contingent beneficiary.
Click here to view sample language for these types of gifts.
Benefits of a Bequest
- You remain in control of your assets during your lifetime
- You can modify your plans if your needs change
Types of Bequests
Specific Bequest
You can give a specific dollar amount or specific asset. For example, you may wish to give $10,000 to Four Seasons.
Wording for a Specific Request
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Four Seasons Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at 211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, Federal Tax ID #47-5508988, for Four Seasons Foundation’s general use and purpose.
Percentage Bequest
You can gift a percentage of your estate. For example, you may wish to give 10% of your estate to Four Seasons.
Wording for a Percentage Request
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Four Seasons Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at 211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, Federal Tax ID #47-5508988, for Four Seasons Foundation’s general use and purpose.
Residual Bequest
You can name Four Seasons to receive the remainder of your estate after specific or bequests are paid. For example, you may name your children to inherit your home, collectibles, and retirement accounts. And Four Seasons can be named to receive the remaining balance.
Wording for a Residual Request
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Four Seasons Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at 211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, Federal Tax ID #47-5508988, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Four Seasons Foundation’s general use and purpose.
Contingent Bequest
Four Seasons will receive a gift from your estate only if your primary beneficiaries cannot. For example, you may state that you wish to leave your retirement account from ABC company to your cousin if they are still living. If they have predeceased you, Four Seasons can inherit.
Wording for a Contingent Request
If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Four Seasons Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at 211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, Federal Tax ID #47-5508988, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Four Seasons Foundation’s general use and purpose.
Restricted Bequest
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
Wording for a Residual Request
If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Four Seasons Foundation flexibility should it no longer be possible for Four Seasons Foundation to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Four Seasons Foundation, it shall become impossible for Four Seasons Foundation to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Four Seasons Foundation may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Have questions, or need help setting up a gift in your will or trust?
Call our Director of Development Stephanie Wilson. If you've already set up a gift in your will or trust, please let us know so that we can recognize you.