Bequests/Estate Plan Gifts

How Does it Work?

A bequest to California Western can be made for a specific amount, for a percentage of your estate, or for all or a portion of what is left after you have made bequests to your family. To make a gift to California Western from your estate, you must sign a new will or living trust instrument, add a codicil to your present will, or make an amendment to your present trust instrument.

Alternatively, you can designate California Western as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. To do so, contact your retirement plan administrator or life insurance company and complete the appropriate beneficiary designation form.

When planning your bequest, you will need to consider how you would like your gift to be used—whether unrestricted in purpose or restricted to a specific purpose, an expendable fund (to be spent when received), or an endowed fund (to last in perpetuity).

Benefits:

• A bequest costs nothing now, yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for California Western in the future.
• You retain control and use of your assets during your lifetime.
• You may modify your bequest if your circumstances change.
• Gifts to California Western from your estate are exempt from federal estate taxes.

This Might Interest You If…

You want to make a gift to California Western and you:

• Want your gift to yield important financial benefits to you and/or your family.
• Want your gift to make a difference to California Western students for years to come.

Assets Used: Cash, securities, or other property.

If you have included California Western in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity and make sure the purpose of your gift is understood by the Law School.