A Gift in Your Will: Getting Started

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We hope you'll consider including a gift to support PETA's lifesaving work for animals in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

  • Simplicity. Just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. Share the sample bequest language for PETA with your estate planning attorney: 

    "I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc., federal tax identification number 52-1218336, with the permanent address of P.O. Box 42516, Washington, DC 20015, the sum of $_______ [or describe the real or personal property of percentage of your estate] for its unrestricted use and purpose."
  •  Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.
  • Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.
  • Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift's full value.
Question MarkDid you know?
You can change your mind about your gift at any time.

How It Works
To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities or property. After your lifetime, PETA receives your gift.


Charitable Bequest
1
Create a will or trust leaving part of your estate to family and part to PETA.
Your Will or Trust
2
Family
Your Family
3
Your death
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Putting Your Family First
When planning a future gift, it's sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate's value fluctuates over the years.

eBrochures
Download a free guide about making your first will.

We Can Help
Contact Tim Enstice at 757-962-8213 or plannedgiving@peta.org with any questions about naming PETA in your will or living trust. We're happy to help, without obligation.