Wording for your Will
A specific gift amount
This is the wording to use when you are leaving a bequest of a specific cash amount. It is simple and straightforward:
Sample wording: “I give $________ to The Canadian Red Cross Society (Name of program, specific geographic area if applicable.*)
A residuary gift
The “residue” of your estate is that which remains after the taxes, administrative and legal expenses are paid, and your heirs have received their specific gifts. The residue can be given in whole, or divided among beneficiaries.
Sample wording: “I bequeath the residue of my estate (or xx% of the residue of my estate) to The Canadian Red Cross Society (Name of program, specific geographic region if applicable.*).”
A contingent gift
This is a provision which allows you to determine the recipient of your estate in the event that none of your named beneficiaries are alive at the time of your death.
Sample wording: “If none of the individuals I intend to benefit by this Will are alive or otherwise capable of benefitting, I leave the residue of my estate to The Canadian Red Cross Society (name of program, specific geographic region if applicable.*).”
* The Red Cross is a flexible organization that adapts to the changing needs of communities. Therefore, the specific program you name in your Will today may, over time, change its name, alter its focus, or diminish or expand its services. Similarly, a program may no longer be required in a specific area. However, while we will make every attempt to honour your wishes as closely as possible, we ask that your bequest allow for some flexibility. If you are designating funds to specific programs or areas, please include a clause such as: “If, through the passage of time, this bequest becomes obsolete, permission is given to alter the terms adhering as closely as possible to my original wishes.”
For more information, contact your local Legacy Representative.
