CHARITABLE PLANNING

Charitable giving allows families to support causes they believe in and pass family values from generation to generation. Our Charitable Practice Group helps clients define and attain their philanthropic goals, whether those goals involve direct contributions, planned giving programs, or the formation of a charitable organization.

For individuals: We help individuals design their gifts so they can extract the maximum income and transfer tax benefit from their charitable contributions. For instance, many clients are surprised to learn that we can coordinate their annual charitable giving with their estate planning to help the family save estate taxes. We are experienced in assisting with contributions of unusual or hard-to-value assets, including artwork, conservation easements, life insurance and closely held stock or partnership interests.

For not-for-profit organizations: We provide a broad range of legal and tax advice to the organizers and directors of public charities, private foundations and supporting organizations. We regularly help charitable organizations obtain and maintain their tax-exempt status and minimize potential excise taxes. We can help file all necessary federal tax forms required of charities and their donors.

Our Charitable Planning Group is accomplished in the formation of charitable trusts, including lead trusts and remainder trusts. These trusts are used, often in conjunction with limited liability companies or partnerships, to save substantial taxes while clients reach their business, investment or estate planning goals.