Advancement: Sample Bequest Language

The following are suggested forms for bequests that may be used by testator or lawyer when writing a bequest to Burr and Burton.  Note that your bequest may be for a stated percent of your estate, a fixed amount, or the residue; examples of each are included below.

Unrestricted Bequest

“I give and bequeath to THE TRUSTEES OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY, d/b/a BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY, an independent school located in Manchester, VT, ______ per cent ( ____%) of my net estate, as an unrestricted gift.”

Bequest for General Endowment

“I give and bequeath to THE TRUSTEES OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY, d/b/a BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY, an independent school located in Manchester, VT, the sum of ______________ Dollars ($______), to be added to said ACADEMY’S general, unrestricted endowment fund so that the income derived therefrom may be used for general purposes.”

Bequest for a Specific Purpose

“I give and bequeath to THE TRUSTEES OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY, d/b/a BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY, an independent school located in Manchester, VT,  ______ per cent ( ____%) of my net estate as an unrestricted gift, the principal and income of which is to be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, for the purpose of____________________________________________________________, or, in the event that such use, in the judgment of said Board of Trustees shall, become impracticable, then for such purposes as said Board shall in its discretion determine.”

Bequest for Perpetuating the Annual Gift

“I give and bequeath to THE TRUSTEES OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY, d/b/a BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY, an independent school located in Manchester, VT, the sum of ______________ Dollars ($______), the principal of which shall be invested and reinvested in such manner as the Board of Trustees may deem best, the income therefrom derived to be used in the discretion of said Board of Trustees for its general purposes, and said income to be recorded in the records of the Annual Giving Campaign of Burr and Burton Academy.” 

Bequest naming Burr and Burton as a Residuary Beneficiary

“I give, devise and bequeath all of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real and personal, of every name, nature and description, wherever situated, to THE TRUSTEES OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY, d/b/a BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY, an independent school located in Manchester, VT, to be applied to the general purposes of the school.”


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