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Gifts of Cash in Your Will or Trust: Getting Started

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If you've thought about making a gift to Boston University but aren't ready to give up your assets or an amount of money today, consider leaving a gift of cash to us after your lifetime through your will or revocable living trust.

This method—called a bequest—allows you the flexibility to change your mind at any time since your gift isn't actually complete until after your lifetime. Plus, if your estate will be subject to estate taxes, this gift entitles your estate to a federal estate tax charitable deduction for the full amount of your gift, reducing any estate taxes owed upon death.

How It Works
  1. To leave a gift of cash after your lifetime, you need a current will or revocable living trust.
  2. You decide what dollar amount you'd like to give to us.
  3. Your attorney will help you complete the gift.
The official bequest language for Boston University is:

"I give and devise (_____________), without reduction for any tax occasioned by my death, to Trustees of Boston University, a Massachusetts non-profit corporation having a principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts, to be used or disposed of as the University (or School/College) in its sole discretion deems appropriate."
  1. After your lifetime, Boston University receives your cash gift from your estate.

Gift of Cash
You
You
1
Include Boston University in your will or trust.
2
Your estate is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction.
Will or Trust
3
Boston University can use your gift to fulfill our mission.
Boston University
How You Benefit
Many people consider a cash gift in their will or trust the perfect way to make a gift. It allows you to support Boston University in the future without using any of your assets today. In addition, leaving us a gift of cash after your lifetime offers these benefits:
  • Simplicity. Just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed to complete your gift.
  • Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.
  • Tax relief. The gift entitles your estate to a charitable estate tax deduction, reducing the amount of federal estate taxes your estate may owe the IRS.
eBrochures
 Request our free guide on making your first will.

Please contact Kristina DiGirolamo at 617-353-2255 or kdigirol@bu.edu if we can answer any questions you have about this way to leave your mark at Boston University.






Copyright © The Stelter Company, All rights reserved.

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.