Skip to main content
Print This
Email This
Calculate Plan
eBrochure
Contact Us
View Video

Retained Life Estate

A retained life estate allows you to gift your home or farm to William & Mary, continue to use the property throughout your life, and receive a charitable tax deduction. When the life estate period ends, the proceeds from the property can be used to create your charitable legacy at William & Mary in the manner you direct.

Retained Life Estate chart

How it Works

  • You deed your home, your vacation home, or your farm to William & Mary.
  • You continue to live in the home, rent-free, for life.
  • You are responsible for the maintenance, taxes, insurance, and bills.
  • William & Mary may use the property for its own purposes or may sell it and use the proceeds.

Benefits

  • You receive a charitable tax deduction for the fair market value of the real estate at the time of the transfer.
  • You pay no capital gains tax on the transfer.
  • You can direct the proceeds from your gift to a specific area or program at William & Mary.

Note

  • Property must be mortgage-free.
  • If you no longer want the property after establishing the retained life estate, William & Mary will work with you to conclude the arrangement. In some cases, you may receive an additional charitable tax deduction.

Contact us

To learn more about a life estate, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you and answer your questions.

scriptsknown