Sample Bequest Language for Your Will or Revocable Living Trust
A gift to Main Line Health – or its hospitals - in your will or revocable trust enables you to support our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest:
- Is easy to arrange.
- Will not alter your current lifestyle in any way.
- Can be easily modified to address your changing needs.
- Will your gift be restricted?
Below please find sample bequest language. Should you wish to leave a gift to one or more Main Line Health hospitals, you will need to include the name of the hospital(s) in the bequest provision. Please contact Caitlyn Walters at WaltersC@mlhs.org or 484-580-1086 to obtain the proper sample language.
Residual Gift Language
A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid.
I give and devise to Main Line Health, located in Radnor, PA, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).
Specific Gift Language
Naming Main Line Health as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy.
I give and devise to Main Line Health, located in Radnor, PA, the sum of $___________ (or asset) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).
Contingent Gift Language
Main Line Health or its affiliates can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled.
If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to Main Line Health, located in Radnor, PA, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).
Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language
You may name Main Line Health or its hospitals as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.
Naming Main Line Health or its hospitals as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh, or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming Main Line Health or its hospitals as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor's death the plan passes to support Main Line Health or its hospitals free of both estate and income taxes.
Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change-of-beneficiary form from your plan administrator. When you have finished, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify Main Line Health or its hospitals. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to Main Line Health or its hospitals.
Customized Language
If you or your attorney would like Main Line Health or its hospitals to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please contact us.
Need a codicil*? Please click here to downloadOpens new window.
*A codicil is a legal document that changes specific provisions in your will but leaves all the other provisions the same.