A bequest is a gift through a will, made after your death from the property you owned.

Many people have an interest in making a substantial gift to the Parish, Parish School, Archdiocese or Catholic Charities, but feel they do not have the necessary financial resources. If this describes your situation, you may want to consider a bequest to support our work.

Many people do not have a will. If you do not, the state in which you live is granted control over your property after your death. If you do not have a will, an attorney who specializes in estate planning can help you prepare one.

To include a bequest for your parish, the Archdiocese or Catholic Charities in your will, please use the following language:

For your parish, school, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, or ministry of the Archdiocese - "I give, devise and bequeath to Edwin F. O'Brien, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, a corporation sole, whose principal office is located at 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, for the benefit of (your parish, school, Archdiocese, or other agency or ministry of the Archdiocese)..."

For Catholic Charities - "I give, devise and bequeath to Associated Catholic Charities, Inc., a charitable organization whose principal office is located at 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201..." (You may, if you wish, designate a specific program within Catholic Charities).

You can designate specific property like your residence, a percentage of your estate, a portion of the "rest and residue" (what remains after your family and loved ones have received what you have designated for them), or a specific dollar amount.

Codicils - A codicil is an addendum to your will which specifies a change you make to your original will. If you already have a will, you add a bequest for your parish, the Archdiocese or Catholic Charities by completing a codicil. Your attorney can assist you.

Contingent Bequests - A contingent bequest becomes effective only if a certain event, or series of events, occurs. For example: How would you like your property to be distributed in the event your heirs die before you do? If you have not named a contingent beneficiary, and that event were to occur, your property will pass under the laws of the state in which you live (as if you had no will at all). Many people name a charitable organization such as their parish, the Archdiocese or Catholic Charities that will continue in existence as contingent beneficiary.