Through the years, our beloved pet(s) have provided us with companionship, comfort and love. By making a bequest or other planned gift to the Humane Society of the Nature Coast (HSNC), you continue to save the lives of homeless animals for years to come. Gifts made through estate planning or Planned Giving, represent the future of the HSNC. Planned gifts help increase our endowment and ensure continuation and expansion of the society’s services and programs for generations to come.
To avoid legal challenges and guarantee the HSNC receives your gift or bequest, please be sure to use the following information for all planned gifts. (Click here for our Organization Fact Sheet)
BEQUEST IN YOUR WILL
Your bequest to the HSNC can be a:
- Specified amount of cash, an investment fund or piece of property
- Percentage of the entire estate or percentage of a specified investment
- Contingent designation taking effect only if your other beneficiaries fail to survive you
TRUSTS
- Revocable Living Trusts: Revocable Living Trusts are not subject to probate. They remain private and avoid public scrutiny. When you die, a trust will save time, expense, publicity and frustration for those you love. Trusts also assure seamless administration of your assets at your death or in the event you become incapacitated.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts: A Charitable Remainder Trust enables you to contribute to the HSNC and receive guaranteed payments for life or a period of years through a trust designed by you with the help of your lawyer. Payments may either be a fixed amount or a fixed percentage of the trust assets. A Charitable Remainder Trust offers gift, estate and income tax benefits. Because you design this trust yourself, it is more versatile than a Charitable Gift Annuity.
- Charitable Lead Trusts: The reverse of a Charitable Remainder Trust, a Charitable Lead Trust will pay the HSNC income during your life, someone else’s life, or for a fixed number of years. Your beneficiaries will receive the remainder. You will be able to design the trust to fit your particular needs. Charitable Lead Trust assets are not taxable in your estate when you die, thereby providing valuable income, gift and estate tax benefits.
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES
You can contribute to the HSNC and receive guaranteed payments for the rest of your life or for the joint lives of you and your spouse or another individual. You will receive an income tax deduction when you make the gift and valuable tax benefits each year. The reverse of a Charitable Remainder Trust, a Charitable Lead Trust will pay the HSNC income during your life, someone else’s life, or for a fixed number of years. Your beneficiaries will receive the remainder. You will be able to design the trust to fit your particular needs. Charitable Lead Trust assets are not taxable in your estate when you die, thereby providing valuable income, gift and estate tax benefits.
LIFE INSURANCE
You can designate the HSNC as the beneficiary of all or a part of your life insurance policy.
REAL ESTATE
No gift of real property shall be accepted without first being appraised and examined for potential liability under environmental impact laws. The HSNC reserves the right to reject any gifts of real property.
Bequests:
Real Estate may be donated to the HSNC by providing specifically for it in your will. Real Estate donated to the HSNC upon your death escapes estate taxation.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
You may provide for the bequest of personal property such as jewelry, collectibles or vehicles to the HSNC in your estate plans. Special rules apply when making planned gifts of personal property, so please be sure to consult your attorney as well as the HSNC before making such provisions.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Assets in your 401(k), pension, IRA or other retirement plan will be subject to estate and income taxes when you die. They may also be subject to generation-skipping taxes. This double, or triple, taxation means your beneficiaries could potentially receive less than 20% of your retirement assets! If you name the HSNC as the beneficiary, there will be no taxes.
SURVIVING PET CARE PLANNING
Have you ever asked yourself, who will care for my pet(s) when I’m gone or can no longer care for them? We strongly recommend that you remember your pets when crafting your estate plan.
One of the most important aspects of being a pet owner is making sure our animals will be cared for should they out live us. Preparing for the future with pet estate planning is the best way to protect them. The HSNC can safely and lovingly provide for your dog or cat until the best home is found for them.
Sample Language…
I give and bequeath to the Humane Society of the Nature Coast of Brooksville, FL (the sum of ____) or (all or___% of my residuary estate) for its general animal care purposes and the care of my surviving pet(s) at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Thank You For Your Support!