Bequest Made Easy with The U.S. Will Registry

Elderly woman proudly handing a Bequest Form to a nonprofit representative at The U.S. Will Registry office.

Bequest are one of the most personal and powerful ways to make a lasting difference. It allows you to pass on your values, continue supporting meaningful causes, and provide for those you care about most. Through The U.S. Will Registry, including a charitable gift in your will is secure, simple, and free for everyone.

The U.S. Will Registry, established in 1997, offers the most respected and user-friendly free online will program in the nation. This program makes it possible for anyone to create a legally valid will in minutes and register it for safekeeping. It also ensures that the will can be found by loved ones or nonprofit organizations when the time comes.

START WRITING YOUR FREE LEGAL WILL NOW – The U.S. Will Registry

This guide explains how a bequest works, why it matters, and how The U.S. Will Registry’s Planned Legacy Program helps nonprofits build financial stability through charitable giving.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PLANNED LEGACY PROGRAM

Understanding What a Bequest Means

A bequest—sometimes called a legacy gift—is a donation or inheritance designated in a will. It can include cash, property, investments, or personal belongings. These gifts let you extend your generosity beyond your lifetime, ensuring that your values continue to make an impact.

You can structure a bequest in several ways:

Specific amount: A defined dollar value, such as “I leave $5,000 to my local animal shelter.”
Percentage of your estate: A share of your estate value, such as 5% or 10%.
Particular assets: Stocks, real estate, or valuable personal items.
Residual gift: Whatever remains after other distributions and expenses are paid.

Each type of bequest gives you control over how your generosity will be expressed and remembered.

Why Legacy Giving Matters

Legacy giving ensures that the causes you love continue to thrive. It also helps build the financial health of nonprofit organizations.

For individuals, a bequest provides the satisfaction of knowing your resources will benefit others long after your lifetime. For nonprofits, these gifts serve as long-term funding that can stabilize programs, expand outreach, and inspire future donors.

Contrary to common belief, planned giving isn’t reserved for wealthy donors. Many impactful bequests come from ordinary people who want to help others in meaningful ways.

Thanks to The U.S. Will Registry’s free online will program, anyone—regardless of income—can create a legal will and include a charitable gift. The process is quick, secure, and designed for peace of mind.

How to Leave a Bequest in Your Will

Including a charitable gift through The U.S. Will Registry takes only a few simple steps.

Create Your Free Will Online
Visit The U.S. Will Registry and start your will in minutes. The platform is secure, private, and legally sound.
Decide What You Wish to Give
Choose whether your gift will be a dollar amount, a share of your estate, or a specific item.
Select Your Beneficiaries
Name family members, friends, and charitable organizations you’d like to support.
Register Your Will for Free
Register your will so it can be found when needed. This ensures your final wishes are carried out correctly.
Store and Update Anytime
You can safely update or download your will at no cost.

This process gives you confidence that your will—and your charitable intentions—will never be misplaced or forgotten.

Adding a Bequest to an Existing Will

If you already have a will, The U.S. Will Registry offers an easy way to add a charitable gift without rewriting your document. Their Codicil to Last Will and Testament for Charitable Bequest form is available in the forms section of the website.

A codicils a short legal document used to amend a will. By completing this form, you can include a new nonprofit organization, modify an existing gift, or adjust donation details.

The Codicil form lets you specify:

The nonprofit you want to benefit.
The nature of the gift (money, property, or percentage).
Instructions for your executor to follow.

This tool makes it simple for anyone to extend their generosity—whether they created their will years ago or just recently.

The Advantages of Leaving a Bequest

Leaving a legacy gift is one of the most rewarding ways to plan for the future. Here are key benefits:

1. It Reflects Your Personal Values

Your will becomes your final message about what matters most. A charitable gift ensures that message endures.

2. It Costs Nothing Now

You maintain full control over your assets during your lifetime. The gift takes effect only after your passing.

3. It Can Reduce Estate Taxes

Charitable donations often qualify for tax deductions, reducing the taxable value of your estate.

4. It Builds a Living Legacy

Your support continues to help others, even when you’re no longer here to give directly.

5. It Inspires Generosity

Your example can encourage family and friends to follow in your footsteps and support similar causes.

How Charitable Gifts Strengthen Nonprofits

For nonprofit organizations, planned giving is the cornerstone of long-term success. Bequests provide reliable income that sustains operations and supports growth. Unlike annual donations, they form a predictable foundation for the future.

When supporters create wills through The U.S. Will Registry, they have an easy opportunity to include the charities they care about most. This creates a continuous stream of goodwill and financial support that grows year after year.

However, many organizations struggle to communicate how easy it is for donors to make this kind of gift. That’s where The U.S. Will Registry’s Planned Legacy Program comes in.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PLANNED LEGACY PROGRAM

The Planned Legacy Program: A Game Changer for Nonprofits

The Planned Legacy Program by The U.S. Will Registry helps nonprofits inspire charitable gifts without costly campaigns. For just $395 per year, your organization receives a fully branded online will platform that invites supporters to include your nonprofit in their wills.

How It Works

Supporters Create Their Wills for Free
Your organization receives a unique link that leads supporters directly to your branded will-making page.
A Dedicated Legacy Page Included
Each will contains a warm, optional message encouraging donors to consider a future gift to your nonprofit.
Follow-Ups Encourage Completion
The program automatically sends gentle reminders for users to finish or update their wills.
No Technical Setup Needed
Simply link your personalized page from your website’s “Ways to Give” section.
Affordable for All Nonprofits
The low annual fee makes the program accessible even for small community-based organizations.

The program not only encourages generosity but also strengthens relationships between nonprofits and their supporters.

Why People Trust The U.S. Will Registry

Since 1997, The U.S. Will Registry has been a national leader in free online will creation, secure registration, and safe document storage.

What Sets It Apart:

Free, attorney-approved will creation for the public.
Secure national registry where families can locate wills for a nominal $14.95 search fee.
Unlimited free updates and cloud storage.
Helpful legal forms, including living wills, advance directives, and the Codicil to Last Will and Testament for Charitable Bequest.
Partnership programs like the Planned Legacy Program to empower nonprofits.

Through these services, The U.S. Will Registry ensures that wills are never lost and that charitable intentions are fulfilled exactly as donors intended.

How to Build a Successful Legacy Program

If you’re a nonprofit leader, building a sustainable legacy giving program is easier than you might think. Here’s how to start:

Activate Your Planned Legacy Program
Enroll in the program and receive your custom-branded online will link.
Add It to Your Website
Place the link under your “Support Us” or “Legacy Giving” page.
Educate Your Donors
Share newsletters or social posts explaining how easy it is to create a free will and leave a gift.
Recognize Legacy Donors
Create a “Legacy Circle” to celebrate supporters who have included your organization in their wills.
Stay in Touch
Send gentle reminders each year encouraging supporters to review or update their estate plans.

With these steps, your nonprofit can build a foundation of enduring generosity.

The Emotional Side of Bequest Giving

Every bequest tells a story of compassion. For donors, it’s a way to express love and gratitude. For nonprofits, it’s a reminder that their mission truly matters.

When donors register their wills through The U.S. Will Registry, they know their documents are protected. Nonprofits gain peace of mind knowing that their supporters’ intentions will be honored. This shared confidence builds loyalty and trust across generations.

Conclusion: A Legacy That Lives On

Leaving a bequest is much more than a financial act—it’s a reflection of hope, love, and purpose. Whether you’re planning your own estate or representing a nonprofit, The U.S. Will Registry offers the most effective tools to make legacy giving possible.

Individuals: Create your free online will, register it, and add a charitable gift easily.
Those with existing wills: Use the Codicil to Last Will and Testament for Charitable Bequest form to include a nonprofit.
Nonprofits: Launch your Planned Legacy Program for $395 per year and build a sustainable legacy for your mission.

Your legacy can touch lives for generations. The U.S. Will Registry makes sure that story of kindness and purpose will never be lost.

What is a bequest and how does it work?

A bequest is a gift left in a will to a person, organization, or charity. It can include money, property, or a percentage of your estate. Through The U.S. Will Registry’s free online will program, anyone can easily include a bequest and ensure it’s securely registered for their loved ones or favorite nonprofits to locate later.

How can nonprofits benefit from charitable bequests?

Bequests provide nonprofits with consistent, long-term funding. Through The U.S. Will Registry’s Planned Legacy Program, organizations can offer their supporters a free will-making tool that gently encourages charitable giving. This approach helps nonprofits build sustainability while honoring donor intentions.

Can I add a bequest to an existing will?

Yes. If you already have a will, The U.S. Will Registry provides a free Codicil to Last Will and Testament for Charitable Bequest form. This document lets you add or update a charitable gift to your existing will without rewriting it. It’s quick, secure, and completely free to use.

Can I add a bequest to an existing will?

Yes. If you already have a will, The U.S. Will Registry provides a free Codicil to Last Will and Testament for Charitable Bequest form. This document lets you add or update a charitable gift to your existing will without rewriting it. It’s quick, secure, and completely free to use.

Editorial Review:

This article was prepared by estate planning researchers and reviewed by S. Miller and staff. With more than 25 years of experience in estate planning documentation and probate processes, our editorial oversight ensures clarity and accuracy. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

[View Our Editorial Policy]