Sample Bequest Language

The following are examples of the type of simple language that may be used in your Will to make a bequest to Valparaiso University. They are intended only as examples and must be tailored by your attorney to meet your specific needs and desires. The most important point is to refer to the University as "The Lutheran University Association, Inc. d/b/a Valparaiso University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana."

UNDESIGNATED BEQUEST: I give, devise and bequeath to The Lutheran University Association, Inc. d/b/a Valparaiso University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, __________________(fill in a percentage of your estate, a certain sum of dollars or a description of particular property), to be used as its Board of Directors determines to be its area of greatest need.

DESIGNATED BEQUEST (for scholarship endowment): I give, devise and bequeath to The Lutheran University Association, Inc. d/b/a Valparaiso University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, ________________(fill in a percentage of your estate or a certain sum of dollars). I further direct that it shall be placed in Valparaiso University’s endowment to be used for scholarship aid pursuant to The (Name) Family Endowed Scholarship as set forth by a Fund Administration Agreement executed between me and Valparaiso University and which is incorporated by reference into this document.

DESIGNATED BEQUEST (for other specific purpose): I give, devise and bequeath to The Lutheran University Association, Inc. d/b/a Valparaiso University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, ____________(fill in a percentage of your estate or a certain sum of dollars). I further direct that it shall be used for (fill in specific use) as set forth by a Fund Administration Agreement executed between me and Valparaiso University and which is incorporated by reference into this document.

RESIDUAL BEQUEST: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, wherever located, I give, devise and bequeath to The Lutheran University Association, Inc. d/b/a Valparaiso University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Indiana and located in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, to be used as its Board of Directors determines to be its area of greatest need.

Sample Christian Will Preambles

Following are examples of language you might use in your Will as a final statement of your Christian faith. A Christian Preamble to your Will provides a significant opportunity to share your faith with family and friends as part of what may be the last document they read or hear about you, their loved one. Through this personal statement of your faith, a significant message will be delivered to those who love and know you best. This message of faith comes at a time of grief and loss and serves as a reminder to your loved ones to place their trust in Jesus Christ as you have.

Preamble Option 1

In the name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I, (Name), of (City, County, State), publish and declare this to be my Will and hereby revoke all former Wills and Codicils executed by me.

Preamble Option 2

I do hereby testify that I am a Christian. I have placed all my hope of life hereafter in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His death and resurrection have given my life meaning and make my death a peaceful passage to eternal life in heaven. I want my family and friends to know that for me to live was Christ, and to die is gain.

Rejoice with me as I declare my completed faith in Jesus Christ my Savior. I am totally convinced by faith that after this life of joys and sorrow, accomplishments and failures, I will live eternally in heaven. This is possible not because I have earned or deserved it, but because Jesus died in my place. I now live with him.

I want all who read this to know that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that upon death I will enter heaven. I will do so, not by my own worthiness, but only through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Savior, who paid the price for my soul’s redemption through his death on the cross. For me to live was Christ, and to die is gain. I commend my loved ones into the hands of the Lord and encourage them to place their faith and trust in him alone for their salvation.

I want all who read this to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I have no doubt about my being saved by him or my being in heaven. I ask my children, whom I love, never to forget the instructions Christ has given to us, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every nation." Share God’s Word with everyone at home and abroad. May God grant you peace, love, and strength as he guides you through this life. Then at the end of time, we will be reunited in heaven as a happy family.

I commit myself to God’s care, secure in his love for me and trusting in the salvation purchased for me through Christ’s suffering and death. I leave those who survive me the comfort of knowing that I have died in this faith and have now joined my Lord in eternal glory. I commend my loved ones to the protecting arms of God, knowing that he will continue to provide for them despite my absence; and I encourage them to place their faith and trust in him alone.

I want all who read this to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that upon death I will enter into heaven. I will do so, not by my own worthiness, but through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and his death on the cross.

I ask my children, whom I have loved dearly, to share God’s Word with everyone and to always remember how much you were loved. I commend you to the precious arms of God, knowing He will provide for you and I encourage you to place your faith in Him alone, and never trust the world for your comfort. I look forward to seeing you all again in our life hereafter, where we will all live with our Lord Jesus.

Preamble Option 3

I, _______________________, of the City of ____________, ________ County, ________, realizing the uncertainty of this life, with full confidence and trust in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in Me, even though they die will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die,” believe that He died for all my sins on the cross and shed His precious blood for my soul. I know that through my faith in His sacrifice on the cross for me I have eternal life, and referring my heirs to Deuteronomy, the eighth chapter, which says in part, “Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,” request that my heirs remember that everything they have is a trust from Him and they are only stewards of what He has given them. I pray they will be good stewards, and I being of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all Wills and Codicils made by me.