Bequests to Friends of Lesotho
Thank you for considering Friends of Lesotho in your will or estate.
Bequests are critically important to the mission of Friends of Lesotho. They provide a source of support that will continue our work in Lesotho for years to come. Bequests come from individuals who would like to leave a legacy and lasting gift to the people of Lesotho. Once you have taken care of the needs of your family and friends, please consider a thoughtful bequest to our organization.
There are several ways to include Friends of Lesotho in your estate planning and therefore a lasting legacy to the people of Lesotho. Of course, your gift will depend on your goals, assets, family considerations, and charitable interests. The more common methods are discussed here.
Please note we speak and write of our organizationas “Friends of Lesotho”; or, “FOL”; however, our organization’s legal name is Friends of Lesotho, Inc.Should you wish to give to us through a will or name us as a beneficiary to an insurance policy or IRA, you should use our legal name.
Ways To Give
Specific Dollar Amount
Donors often leave a specific dollar amount to Friends of Lesotho. Your generosity can benefit Lesotho for years to come.
Here is sample language:
“I give the sum of $______to Friends of Lesotho, Inc. TAX I.D. #52-1544063, to be used for the benefit of the organization in any manner its Board of Directors deems appropriate. A receipt issued by any officer of such organization shall be a complete release and discharge of my Executor for such payment and my Executor shall not be bound to see to the application thereof. Friends of Lesotho, Inc., may be contacted at 4110 Denfeld Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895.”
Remainder of Estate
Many donors leave a portionof the remainder of their estateto Friends of Lesotho. After providing for relatives and friends, the estate specifies that all or a portion of the remainder be given to Friends of Lesotho.
Here is sample language:
"I give, devise, and bequeath to Friends of Lesotho, Inc. TAX I.D. #52-1544063, all [or state the fraction or percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal to be used for the benefit of the organization in any manner its Board of Directors deems appropriate. A receipt issued by any officer of such organization shall be a complete release and discharge of my Executor for such payment and my Executor shall not be bound to see to the application thereof. Friends of Lesotho, Inc., may be contacted at 4110 Denfeld Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895.”
Other Options
You may also list Friends of Lesotho, Inc. as beneficiary of your IRA, Retirement Plan or Life Insurance Policy. These methods of giving do not have to be addressed in a Will. If you do this, be sure to provide our full name and address: Friends of Lesotho, Inc., 4110 Denfeld Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895.
You may want to discuss your intended plans with Friends of Lesotho in advance to assure that your bequest can be accommodated. Most bequests are for the general purposes of Friends of Lesotho; however, if you wish to restrict the use for a specific purpose it is in your best interests to discuss the intended use with the Treasurer of Friends of Lesotho before your will is executed.
For more information about planned giving with Friends of Lesotho, contact John Hollister, Treasurer, at 301-942-2751 or via e-mail at .
Be sure to finalize any document with an attorney.
Friends of Lesotho wants you to have an effective estate plan. Effective estate planning usually takes time, effort, and assistance from a good attorney, but in the end your plan will allow your family to avoid any unnecessary delay, dissension or expense that could interfere with your wishes or otherwise occur without an estate plan.
Please keep in mind that it is important to do the following:
- Retain your personal attorney to finalize all paperwork
- Ensure your attorney is present when signingall paperwork
- Ensure that independent witnesses are present when signing to witness the Will. They should know you (as the donor) well enough to swear to your competence and lack of undue influence by Friends of Lesotho or any other party.
Be sure to consult with an attorney in connection with any estate planning matters. Theinformation presented here does not constitute legal advice and you should not rely or act upon it without seeking advice from your own attorney on these matters.
Here are some links that provide general information about estate planning that may be useful to you:
Your legacy is an enduring tribute that reflects much thought and advanced planning. Thank you for considering Friends of Lesotho.