Giving Through Your Will

Every year we receive bequests from the estates of generous alumni and friends. These gifts make a tremendous difference and help the university make new investments in its future. If you are interested in supporting the university through your estate, start by ensuring your will is up-to-date, incorporating the most recent changes in tax law and any changes in your life. Professional advisers recommend that you review your will at least once a year.

When you revise or create your will, it should address the needs of your spouse, dependents, and others who are within the circle of your responsibility. Further, it can also provide support for organizations that reflect your most important values and concerns. We hope you will consider including Saint Leo University. Your estate gift will help us serve the next generation of Saint Leo students.

Types of Bequests

As you consider an estate gift to Saint Leo University, it may be useful to know some of the bequest options available. For example, you can make your bequest as an unrestricted gift. This permits Saint Leo University to use your bequest where it is needed most.

A second type of bequest is designated or restricted to a specific purpose. For example, a gift may be earmarked for a program you feel keenly about or for capital improvements. You could even designate a bequest to establish an endowment, which can be used to fund student scholarships.

A third kind would be a combination of the first two. That is, part of the bequest might be used as the board sees fit, and the restricted part for the predetermined purpose.

Methods for Making Bequests

Once you've decided on the kind of bequest, you must determine how the bequest will be identified. You have at least three options.

First, you can specify a specific amount or item. For example, you could bequeath a piece of artwork, jewelry, your home, or a piece of property to Saint Leo University. You can also give certain securities, appreciated assets, or a set amount of money.

Second, you can name Saint Leo University to receive a percentage of the residue of your estate—the amount that is left after the bills and specific bequests have been made.

Finally, you could name Saint Leo University as a contingent beneficiary to receive that part of your estate that would have passed to another person had he or she been living. For example, a will can indicate that everything is to go to your spouse unless your spouse predeceases you, in which case the assets, or part of them, could be assigned to Saint Leo University.

As you proceed with your estate plans, we strongly encourage you to inform us about any bequest decisions affecting Saint Leo University. This will help ensure that we can honor any restrictions you have placed in your bequest. It also helps our long-range planning efforts if we know where future resources are being directed. Best of all, it gives us the opportunity to thank and honor you in advance, and to include you in the James J. Horgan Heritage Society.

Next Steps:

  1. Click here to request a free copy of our Estate Planning Guide to help you organize your estate plan and determine how you want your property and assets to be handled.
  2. To learn about how you can leave a legacy through an estate gift to Saint Leo University, contact us at (352) 588-8415 or development@saintleo.edu
 

To learn more about how you can make an impact at Saint Leo University, please contact us at (352) 588-8415 or by email at development@saintleo.edu. You can also take action into your own hands by requesting a free estate planning guide to help you manage your plans.

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