Make an impact while planning for your future

We also offer the ability to create a free Revocable Living Trust

Everybody needs a will

Whether you are 18 or 108, everyone should have a will in place. People use wills to choose who gets their property, name guardians for minor children, provide a plan for pets, and more.

Through a will, many people also choose to leave a part of their estate to University of St. Thomas and make an impact on the causes they love, for years to come.

Why give in your will?

Continue to use assets or property during your lifetime

Potentially reduce your estate tax burden

Leave a lasting legacy to University of St. Thomas

Common gifted assets in wills and trusts

Financial accounts
Real estate
Vehicles
Brokerage accounts
Crypto and NFTs
Personal property

Make your will online – for free!

University of St. Thomas has partnered with FreeWill to offer an online estate planning tool that makes it easy and cost-free to make your plan. In as little as 20 minutes, you can help support our mission for future generations.

Start your will

We also offer the ability to create a free Revocable Living Trust

Popular resources

Estate planning checklist

Ten important documents to get your affairs in order.

Download

Sample bequest language for your will or trust

This language may help you and your attorney as you consider a gift that will meet your financial and personal goals.

Download

Sample codicil

When it is time to update your will, you can use a codicil—an addition or supplement that explains or modifies your existing will.

Download

Planned giving secures UST for future generations

The University of St. Thomas is the Catholic University in the heart of Houston. We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition and the dialogue between faith and reason. A gift in your will perpetuates our more than 75-year history of educating the whole person and instilling goodness, discipline, and knowledge, the core values of the Basilian Fathers, in our students.

Connie Little and Lowell Davis

When Connie Little ‘61 and Lowell Davis M.Ph. ’10, UST, married in 2022, there was hardly any question about where to have their nuptial mass: at UST’s Chapel of St. Basil. After all, their connection to University of St. Thomas played a significant role in their relationship. Not only do they both hold degrees from the University, but they also both remain very active members of our Celt community: as alumni, as donors, even as students! While Lowell pursues his PhD from the Center for Thomistic Studies, Connie recently took part in a lecture series on the history of Polish resistance in World War II, offered by the St. John Paul II Institute. They’re frequently spotted on campus attending lectures, cultural programs, Mass services, and alumni events.

But soon after their marriage, Lowell realized he was missing one connection to the University that Connie had: membership in the Lilian and Stella Scanlan Society.

Membership in the Scanlan Society recognizes donors who have chosen to include UST in their enduring legacy by committing a part of their estate to the University through their will, beneficiary designation, or other giving vehicle. While Connie had put her estate plans in place several years ago, and made sure to include UST as a beneficiary, Lowell didn’t even have a will, and wasn’t certain where to turn.

That’s when an email from the Office of University Advancement announcing a partnership with Freewill, the largest provider of wills in the United States, landed in his inbox. Even better for Lowell, people have enlisted Freewill to commit more than $7.2 billion to nonprofit organizations. Lowell used the tool to draft his will and included a bequest to UST. He also agreed to have Freewill notify UST of his plans.

UST’s Planned Giving Advisor, Kiernan O’Connor, soon confirmed with Lowell that his will was signed and notarized and was pleased to welcome him as a member of the Scanlan Society.

The experience re-energized Connie and Lowell’s desire to encourage other alumni to include a bequest gift to the University of St. Thomas in their wills. As Connie describes it, “The University did so much for me. Now it’s my turn to help others.” And she has. Her special financial support is for scholarships for students.

For Lowell UST alumni can make a lasting difference to their alma mater by making a planned gift, “Because the promising greatness of the University and its Basilian mission calls for a greatness of support, and because many graduates want to pass on to others what they have received.”

O’Connor concurs. “Schools with larger endowments do better. Having that financial security is huge. Our endowment is competitive with our peers, but Connie and Lowell are right: there’s an enormous opportunity and planned giving is the key.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my estate big enough to leave a planned gift?

Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.

Can my gift remain anonymous?

Yes! Knowing in advance about your intentions is quite helpful to our staff, but you are always welcome to not share your gift.

Does it cost anything to plan my estate?

We’ve partnered with FreeWill to help you make a will or trust at no cost to you. You can use this to complete your plans, or you may choose to use the same tools to get your affairs in order before visiting an attorney (who is likely to have a fee associated with finalizing your plans).

Can I edit my documents after I am done?

Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.

Is my private information secure with FreeWill?

Yes! FreeWill will never share your personal information without your permission.

We are here to help you meet your goals!

Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: Kiernan O'Connor

Title :Planned Giving Advisor

Phone: 713-525-6904

Email: kiernan.oconnor@stthom.edu

Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know

More ways to make an impact

Beneficiary designations

Gifting assets not covered by your will — such as 401(k) or IRA accounts — may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you are below the estate tax threshold.

Learn more

Popular tax-smart gifts

Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.

Learn more

Gifts that pay you back

Give assets while providing yourself or others with income for a period of time or distributions at a later date.

Learn more