If you believe in the mission of The Children's Village and want to help ensure its future, consider including The Children's Village in your will. This can mean a specific bequest of an asset such as property or stock or a cash gift. If you are concerned about making sure your loved ones are taken care of, you may want to make a residuary or contingent bequest.

In a residuary bequest, you provide Children’s Village with the remainder of your estate (or a portion of the remainder) after all of your specific bequests are taken care of.

Example:
“I direct that all (or a specific percent) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate be given to The Children's Village.”

In a contingent bequest, Children’s Village becomes a beneficiary only when a designated beneficiary fails to survive you.

Example:
“If any of the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me or no longer exist, I direct that the share of that beneficiary be transferred to The Children's Village. “

If you already have a will and wish to make a bequest to Children’s Village without rewriting your entire will, you can create a Codicil.

Example:
“I (your name), a resident of (your address), make this Codicil to my Last Will and Testament executed by me on (date). I hereby modify and amend my Last Will and Testament as follows: (insert bequest). Except as my Last Will and Testament is expressly modified or amended by this Codicil, I ratify and reaffirm my Last Will and Testament in its entirety.”

The Codicil then must be signed by you and witnessed in accordance with the laws of your state.

The suggested language is provided for information only. If you are interested in changing or making a will or creating a Codicil, we recommend you consult your lawyer. If you have include The Children's Village in your will and would like to join our Legacy Society, would like to make a commitment to make a legacy, or have questions, please contact Linda Stutz at 914-693-0600 ext 1413 or Lstutz@childrensvillage.org.