Estate Planning

Those who have already executed their wills can easily amend them through a simple legal device known as a codicil, which is a clearly worded paragraph that can be added to your will, thereby amending its provision.  A codicil must be executed, signed, and witnessed in accordance with the laws of your state, but it provides an easy vehicle for your legal professional to include the Oblates as a beneficiary of your estate.

A gift by will is one of the easiest and most effective means of ensuring that your family and friends are fully provided for by your estate, while supporting the work of charities such as the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

A will is a legal document. In a will, you name a personal representative to administer your estate and you also direct how your property will be distributed after your death. If you die without leaving a will, your home, money, and other property will be distributed according to a formula fixed by law. The law does not and cannot take into consideration the special needs of any individual or family member. Therefore, having a will allows you to provide for the distribution of your estate in the way you choose.

Wills can specify that the remainder of your estate be distributed to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales through the work of the Oblate Development Fund, after family and friends have been taken care of. Another option is to specify that the Oblates receive a predetermined, fixed gift.

A sample codicil can read:

I give, devise, and bequeath to the Oblate Development Fund, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE, 19806, for their general purposes all (or state fraction or percentage) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real or personal.*

OR

I give, devise, and bequeath to the Oblate Development Fund, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE, 19806, the sum of $______  for their general purposes.*

Whatever type of bequest you wish to make, a will is essential to carrying out your wishes.  If you, your financial advisor, or attorney would like more information about how your will can further the mission of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, please contact our development office at 302-656-8529.

*These forms are merely suggestions. The actual codicil will be written or adapted by legal counsel to fit your desires.

For more information...

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Development Office
302-656-8529
jokolodziej@oblates.org