New York Estate Planning Lawyer Blog

On Tuesday we discussed a few ways that our New York estate planning lawyers incorporate charitable giving into strategies to reduce taxes during inheritance planning. Of course, for most local families who want to give some of their wealth away, the motivation is not just to save tax money for themselves or their heirs in the process. Instead, as an interesting new article discussing the matter in Financial Planning noted, there are many emotional connections behind giving back. A mix of empathy, gratitude, and the desire to make an impact for others are often behind philanthropic efforts included in New York estate plans.

One sociologist suggests that empathy is at the root of most charitable giving--the ability to actually experience the struggles faced by others. Many donors providing support to certain charitable causes see much of themselves, their children, parents, or other family members in those that they are helping. The ability to care for others as an extension of ourselves is one of the most valued human abilities, and many of our clients share that attribute, wanting to incorporate it as part of their long-term planning.

The time that many are conducting estate planning is usually a time when they are winding down their efforts to collect more wealth. As a result it is a natural opportunity to consider other objectives, goals, and wishes. A sociologist familiar with this time in life explained how residents "then face the question of how to live next and impart to their children a moral biography. Most will want to give back because giving is a natural source of happiness." When reflecting on how far one has come in life, many consider that they themselves were helped along the way. Giving aid to others (financial and otherwise) is a way of returning the help one personally received at a time when it was needed most.

Another consideration is the effect that particularly large inheritances might have on offspring. Researchers have found that many wealthy individuals fear the effect of a large inheritance on their children. Increased charitable giving seems like an appropriate action in those situations.

At the end of the day, providing help to others is perhaps the single most important way that any of us can shape the world around us. At the same time it is a way of meeting our own needs as well. The Greek word from which we derive philanthropy, "philia," actually means "mutual nourishment."

See Our Related Blog Posts:

Adding Charitable Giving As Part of Your Estate Plan

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) as an Estate Planning Tool

Historically, charitable giving rises about one-third as fast as the stock market. While the stock market gains of 2010 remain slight (Dow is up 1.13% at the time of this writing), New York residents may still want to consider using the charitable remainder trust (CRT) in their estate planning.

This trust works well for those who:
• hold highly appreciated assets
• desire an income stream off of the assets
• want to donate to charity; and
• achieve tax benefits.

Because the CRT is irrevocable, this planning should be done with an experienced estate planning attorney.

How the CRT Works, in brief
Your assets and/or property are transferred to a CRT whereby your charity administers the trust. The charity serves as trustee, managing or investing your assets.
The charity pays you and/or your beneficiary a portion of the income generated by the trust for a certain number of years, or for the remainder of your life. At your death or the end of the set period, your charity receives the trust's remaining principal.

CRT Tax Benefits
By establishing a CRT, you avoid capital gains tax on the donated assets, because the charity is exempt from taxes. An income tax deduction may also be declared on the fair market value of the remainder interest in the trust. Additional savings are effected by removing these assets from your estate, reducing subsequent estate taxes.

Two Types of CRTs:
With the charitable remainder unitrust, the percentage rate on the value of the assets determines your and/or beneficiaries' annual payment. If the trust value changes, the payment to you and/or your beneficiaries changes.
A charitable remainder annuity trust is set up to pay a fixed rate of return based on the initial valuation at the time the property is placed in the trust. The trust's assets are never re-valued, so if the assets of the trust increase, the income portion does not change.

Conclusion
The remaining principal of the trust reverts to the charity of choice upon death and/or the end of the set term. (The trust life may be based on the life expectancy of the income beneficiary). Because some grantors may object to the loss of principal, they may purchase life insurance to replace the principal assets. An estate planning attorney then uses an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust in conjunction with the CRT to assure the trust's value is also distributed to the income beneficiaries.

Online resources to charitable giving:
• The National Center for Family Philanthropy

This website promotes philanthropic values, vision and excellence across generations of donors.

• The American Institute of Philanthropy

This website rates and grades public charities to help donors make informed decisions.

• The Foundation Center

This website provides news on charitable activities and links to private and public foundation websites.