Residuary Bequest

A Residuary Bequest is a gift of all or part of the property remaining in your estate after debts, expenses, and specific bequests have been paid. When you use a percentage instead of a specific amount, your gift will stay relatively the same in proportion to your entire estate, regardless of how your estate increases or decreases in value. For example:

“I give, bequeath, and devise [all, or ___percent of] the rest, residue, and remainder of the property, both real and personal, wherever situated, which I may own or be entitled to at my death, to The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.”

Should you wish to make a bequest for a specific purpose (i.e., other than for the Library's general purposes), please contact the Planned Giving Staff.