{"id":287097,"date":"2025-04-02T11:52:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T16:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/wills\/how-to-gift-your-assets-in-a-will.html"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:09:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:09:40","slug":"how-to-gift-your-assets-in-a-will","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/wills\/how-to-gift-your-assets-in-a-will.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Gift Your Assets in a Will"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Gift Your Assets in a Will<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Bequeathing assets involves specifying how your property, such as cash, personal items, financial accounts, and real estate, will be distributed after your death. Begin by taking inventory of your assets and clearly detail these bequests in your will. Certain assets, like POD accounts and life insurance with beneficiary designations, transfer outside the will process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Your assets are your property and include everything you own, from the contents of your bank accounts to your home, car, and jewelry. If you want a say in where your assets will go once you’re gone, you can express your wishes in a last will and testament<\/a> \u2014 an essential part of your estate plan.<\/p>\r\n

In your will, you must write statements or provisions that detail the assets you wish to gift along with the specific family members, loved ones, or organizations you want to leave them to. These directions are also called bequests, and the people or organizations you choose to receive your property upon your death are called beneficiaries.<\/p>\r\n

Here is a guide to bequeathing different types of assets.<\/p>\r\n

Take Inventory of Your Assets<\/h2>\r\n

When you are ready to write your will, take inventory of all of the assets you would like to pass on, which means making a list of everything you own.<\/p>\r\n

Alongside this inventory, create a complete list of the people or organizations you want to receive your property. Matching up these lists will help make sure you don’t forget anything or anyone.<\/p>\r\n

Make Bequests<\/h2>\r\n

Now you are ready to write your will. Gather the identifying information of your beneficiaries to ensure your assets go to the right places.<\/p>\r\n

For people, include their name, birthdate, and your relationship to them. For organizations, include name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN).<\/p>\r\n

For more information on the language to use in your will provisions, see this sample basic will.<\/a> For tips regarding the different types of gifts you may wish to make in your will, read on.<\/p>\r\n

How to Gift Cash<\/h2>\r\n

When gifting cash in a will, take stock of your bank accounts and any place where you might store physical cash \u2014 your wallet, a safe, under your mattress.<\/p>\r\n

If you plan to sell personal property and gift the cash earned from sales, don’t forget to include that in your will as well.<\/p>\r\n

How to Gift Personal Items<\/h2>\r\n

You may want to gift personal property in your will. Examples of personal property include:<\/p>\r\n