Planned Giving FAQs

Who can make a planned gift?
All of us can leave a legacy. One does not have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist; a bequest in your will of any size makes an abiding difference in the future of this church.

After providing for our families through our wills, we are encouraged to consider giving to the church. Just as annual gifts to the Every Member Canvass support AHCC's operations each year, a gift to AHCC through your will insures AHCC's future.

What information about AHCC will I need when I meet with my lawyer?
When you meet with your lawyer to discuss drawing up a will or revising your will to include a bequest, you will need the legal name and address of the church which is:

Asylum Hill Congregational Church
814 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06105

This is true also if you meet with your trust officer or other professional involved in estate planning.

How do I designate a bequest?
You may also wish to designate your bequest. For example:

a) Specific dollar amount
"I give, devise and bequeath to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut the sum of ___dollars ($______) [or other specifically described personal or real property] for its general uses and purposes." [or, "for its endowment."]

b) Specific Percentage
"I give, devise and bequeath to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut an amount equal to ___percent (___%) of the value of my gross estate at the time of my death for its general uses and purposes" [or, "for its endowment."]

c) Residual bequest
"I give devise and bequeath to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut all of the residue of my estate for its general uses and purposes." [or, "for its endowment."]

d) Contingent Bequest
"If the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, then I give, devise, and bequeath to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut, all of my property and estate for its general uses and purposes." [or "for its endowment."]

It is important to keep your will up to date
Your will should reflect the current circumstances of your life. The following are some life changes which may require your will to be reviewed, and possibly updated:

  • A change in your family status such as marriage, birth of a child or grandchild, divorce, or emancipation of a child.
  • A change in the nature or value of your estate.
  • A change in laws that affect estate planning.
  • A change in your place of residence from one state to another.

[Source: UCC Financial Ministries website]

The information provided on this website and in these materials is not intended as legal or tax advice.

We urge you to contact your legal and financial advisors for such advice.

If you are thinking about making a bequest, where can you find more information? Should you be thinking about making a bequest, you or your lawyer may wish to contact:

• AHCC's Administrator, Suzanne Kinard at 525-5696 or skinard@ahcc.org
• Chair of the Planned Giving Committee, Paul Grimmeisen at 677-8645 or paul24wor@aol.com

The following sites provide information on leaving a legacy:

Leave A Legacy-CT

The Planned Giving Group of CT

United Church of Christ Financial Ministries