Legacy Giving

Planned Giving

Justice for all, for generations to come

It’s easier than you think to ensure access to justice for future generations. With a planned gift to MVLS, you can combine your desire to give to charity with your overall financial, tax, and estate planning goals. If you are interested in discussing planned giving opportunities and how your gift can directly support free legal help, or if you have already included MVLS in your plans, please let us know. Contact Katie Sutton, Director of Development, directly at 443-451-4065 and by email. You should also plan to discuss your specific options and benefits with your estate planning attorney, financial advisor, and/or certified public accountant.

Include MVLS In Your Will

A planned gift from your will may be a good option if you want to ensure MVLS’ future viability and strength, long-term planning is more important to you than an immediate income-tax deduction, and/or you want the flexibility of a gift commitment that doesn’t impact current cash flow.

How It Works

Include a bequest to MVLS in your will or trust.
Make your bequest unrestricted or direct it to a specific purpose (be sure to check with us to make sure your gift can be used as intended).
Indicate a specific amount or a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate or trust.

Benefits

Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.
You can modify your bequest to address changing circumstances.
Under current tax law there is no upper limit on the estate tax deduction for your charitable bequests.

Sample Bequest Language:

You may include the following or similar language in your will to direct your gift to MVLS.Please note this is not legal advice, and you may wish to consult an attorney.

PERCENTAGE: “I devise Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, a nonprofit corporation of the State of Maryland, located at 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201, ____% of my estate.”
SPECIFIC: “I devise to Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, a nonprofit corporation of the State of Maryland, located at 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201. The sum of $__________.” or __________ shares of stock in __________Company.”, or My real property commonly known as ____________.”
RESIDUAL: “I devise to Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, a nonprofit corporation of the State of Maryland, located at 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201, all the residue of my estate, including real personal property.”

CONTINGENT: “In the event of the death of any of the beneficiaries, “I devise to Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, a nonprofit corporation of the State of Maryland, located at 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201, ____% of my estate., (percentage, specific, or residual language as above).”

IRA & Required Minimum Distributions

IRS rules mandate that individuals age 72 and older take required minimum distributions (RMD) from their retirement plan such as their individual retirement account (IRA), 403(b), or 401(k) each year, regardless of whether the income is needed. These annual withdrawals are subject to ordinary income taxes. By making a charitable contribution from your IRA, you can satisfy your RMD amount without reporting additional income. This provision may be especially attractive for you if you don’t need all the income from your IRA to meet current living expenses. By donating the money to charity, you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to a worthy organization like MVLS while effectively lowering your tax bill.

Other FAQs

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Inc. (MVLS) is a 501c3 charity, donations to which are fully tax deductible as allowed by law. MVLS’ Federal Tax ID is 52-1225979.

Learn about other ways to give to MVLS, including through gifts of appreciated stock, your donor advised fund, or other ways that maximize your philanthropic goals on our main donation page.