Leaving a Bequest

Creating A Legacy Reflecting Your Values

A bequest is one of the most common types of planned gifts. You may specify your bequest to the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust as:

a particular dollar amount
a percentage of your estate
the residue of your estate
a specific asset such as real estate or securities

Bequests will be distributed after all debts, taxes and expenses of your estate have been paid. When your attorney draws up your will or living trust, San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust Should Be Designated As:

San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, with Business Address of 2326 Fox Lane, Arrowbear Lake, California, 92382

San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust's taxpayer identification number : 33-0700417.

The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust was incorporated on June 20, 1996

More Considerations

We suggest you specify that your bequest be "used in such a manner as the Board of Directors of San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust shall, in its discretion, determine." If you prefer to restrict your bequest to a particular program, San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust is pleased to work with you to ensure that your wishes will be met.

Should you choose to make San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust a beneficiary of your estate plans, please let us know your intentions. If you wish, you may provide San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust with a copy of the relevant portion of your will or living trust to help us ensure your wishes are carried out at the appropriate time. This information will be kept strictly confidential.

If you would like to help build the long-term financial strength of the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, but feel you cannot make a significant gift today. Your solution may be a charitable bequest. A bequest under your will or revocable trust can complement your lifestyle and commitments today while supporting The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust tomorrow.

Donors Choose a Bequest because:

It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
It is revocable – you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time, and
It is private – your will is not filed or made public until your death.
Your giving options are increased:

A bequest can deliver a specific gift to the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust ("I bequeath the sum of Ten Thousand [$10,000] Dollars"). Alternatively, it can deliver a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate after taxes, expenses and specific bequests have been paid - what is known as residue ("I bequeath Ten [10%] of the residue of my estate").
You can designate that a particular program or activity at the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust benefit from your bequest. Or, you can make your bequest unrestricted and allow us to use it for our top protection priories.

Is a bequest deductible?

A bequest from a will or a trust distribution to The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.

How to Name Us in Your Will

What is the difference between a Will and a Trust?

A will is your instruction manual to survivors about how you want your property distributed. It is a revocable, private document that only takes effect after your death.
A revocable trust is an entity that holds assets during your lifetime, then transfers ownership of them — or benefit from them — upon your death.
There is no difference between wills and trusts in how they make charitable transfers. In some states the probate and distribution process is simpler with a revocable trust. Your advisors can guide you in choosing which vehicle will work better for you.

If you wish to name San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust in your will or estate plan, we should be named as:

San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the state of California, with principal business address of 2326 Fox Lane, Arrowbear Lake, California, 92382
Tax identification number: 33-0700417
Date of Incorporation: June 20, 1996.
San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Planning Points

The more narrowly you restrict the use of your bequest, the greater the risk that the program you want to benefit today won't be as vital or as relevant when we receive your gift in the future. Please talk with us as you are drafting your will if you want to restrict the use of your bequest.
Similarly, please let us know in advance if you intend to bequeath real estate, a business interest, or other specialized property to The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust. Contact us at [email protected].
The remaining balance in your retirement plan makes a tax-wise gift to The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, but don't direct it to us through your will or trust – that will include the plan in your taxable estate. Use your plan's successor beneficiary form, instead.

What if I've already written my will or trust?

You can amend a will or trust to make a gift without rewriting the entire document. Your attorney can prepare a simple document, called a codicil, which adds a new bequest to us while reaffirming the other terms of your will. Similarly, an attorney can prepare an amendment to a revocable trust to add the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust as a beneficiary.

Your Will

There are many important steps to consider, you can get started with a few simple steps:

Get organized. Gather all of your important documents in one place. You may be surprised to find out how much you actually have. Write down a list of all of your valuable property, and be specific. Instead of writing "Car", list "2000 Audi TT , VIN #9845344455347."
Set your priorities. Make a list of all the people and organizations that you want to remember in your will by leaving them some of your property. If you plan to make a charitable bequest, be sure to get the organization's legal name, current address, and whenever possible, its tax-exempt ID number.
Review your beneficiary designations. Review all your checking accounts, savings accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement plans, pension plans and any other assets for which you may have made a beneficiary designation, and make any necessary updates or changes.
Think about guardians. If you have minor children or an older parent or other adult whom you care for, be sure to appoint a guardian for them in your will.
Choose an executor. Select a person you trust to serve as your executor. You may want to pick one or two alternates in case your first choice is unwilling or unable to serve.
Hire an attorney. Ask friends and colleagues for referrals, and call for an initial consultation to find someone with whom you are comfortable. Ask about fees in advance, and tell your lawyer whom you wish to benefit and what you wish to accomplish in drafting your will.
Review and update your will on a regular basis. The saying goes: "Life is what happens when we are making other plans." Our lives are constantly changing — your will needs to be updated periodically to reflect such life changes as:

The death of a beneficiary
Marriage, divorce or remarriage
The birth of a child or grandchild
An inheritance
The purchase of a new asset such as life insurance, a new home, etc.
A bequest to an organization to commemorate a loved one or to recognize the good work of a favorite charity

If you have included the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust in your will or estate plans, or would like more information about how to do so, please email us at [email protected] so we can send you additional information or welcome you into the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust Legacy Society.