A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.

Specific Bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000 to Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Residual Bequest. A residual bequest is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is made to charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

I give to Jewish Family Service of San Diego (tax ID# 95-1644024), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in San Diego, CA, the sum of $________, * for its general purposes.

I give to Jewish Family Service of San Diego (tax ID# 95-1644024), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in San Diego, CA, the sum of $________, * to be used for [state purpose]. If the need for funds described above no longer exists, the CEO and/or the Board of Directors are authorized to use these funds in the best interest of Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Jewish Family Service of San Diego (tax ID# 95-1644024), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in San Diego, CA, for its general purposes.

If [name of beneficiary] does not survive me, or shall die during the administration of my estate, then I give to Jewish Family Service of San Diego (tax ID# 95-1644024), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in San Diego, CA, [description of property] to be used for its benefit.

I give to Jewish Family Service of San Diego (tax ID# 95-1644024), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, located in San Diego, CA, the sum of $________, * to be used as a permanent endowment, the income only from which shall be used for its general purpose (or describe the specific purpose, if desired).