Secure your legacy by making a gift in your will or living trust to friends, family and charitable organizations: a bequest is one of the simplest ways to remember those you care about most.

You can include a bequest in your will that specifies a percentage, a fixed amount, specific property, or the residual estate (All the rest and residue of my estate to...). Percentage bequests may be given from the gross estate or from the residue (after tangible personal property, debts and specified bequests).

The language below shows how easily a bequest can be included in your will (remember to change the numbers or percentages as you desire):

1. Bequest of cash

"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Children's Hope International of St. Louis, Missouri."

2. Bequest of a percent of the estate

"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Children's Hope International of St. Louis, Missouri."

3. Contingent Bequest

"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Children's Hope International of St. Louis, Missouri."