Bequests

Leaving a bequest is a permanent statement of your values. It is how you and what you cared about will be remembered. Most people making bequests to Jewish Family Service do so through their wills. If you already have a will, you may be able to make your gift by preparing a codicil (a brief written amendment) to your will. Some donors who have revocable living trusts choose to make a future gift to JFS through the equivalent of a bequest, namely a charitable distribution provision in the trust instrument. Normally, an existing trust instrument can easily be amended to include such a provision.

You should always involve your attorney and/or other advisors in your estate planning.

For more information, or if you have designated JFS as a beneficiary and would like your name added to the Family Tree Legacy Circle, please contact Randi Abrams-Caras, Major Gifts Director, at rabrams-caras@jfsseattle.org or (206) 726-3619.

Suggested Forms of Bequests

- Specific Sum of Money
- Specific Property
- Rest & Residue of Your Estate
- Contingent Bequest
  If you are not survived by certain individuals: “If [name/s of primary beneficiary/ies] do/es not survive me, or shall die within ninety (90) days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to Jewish Family Service, currently located at 1601 16th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122-4000, or its successor organization,  [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate].”
  
  (Note: There are many other types of contingencies that can be addressed as well.)
- Bequests for Restricted Purposes
  
  If the bequest is for a restricted purpose, use the relevant language above for the form of bequest and designate the particular program or area of activity to be supported.
  
  Example: “I give to Jewish Family Service, currently located at 1601 16th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122-4000, or its successor organization, [insert here the exact dollar amount, description of property, or percentage of residual estate], to be used for [state purpose].”
  
  It is recommended that the following paragraph be added if the bequest is for a restricted purpose:
  
  “If, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Family Service, it should become impossible, inadvisable, or impractical to use this gift for the specified purpose(s), then the Board may in its discretion use the gift for other purposes, keeping in mind my original wishes. In any such alternative application, the support provided by this bequest shall be clearly identified with my name.”
- The Fine Print

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