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elder law

How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

When a death occurs, it’s normal to wonder – and even worry – about the expense of memorializing a loved one, even though we are grieving. The costs of goods and services are making headlines every day recently.

What is charitable giving – and is it right for you?

Charitable donations have the dual purpose of saving taxes and supporting valued causes. For individuals with substantial estates, this could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax savings. Charitable trusts are an ideal way to accomplish this goal. The rationale for the different treatment of charitable trusts is that society wants to encourage charitable giving.

Typically, the same rules that apply to formation and governance of a private trust apply to charitable trusts. The primary differences include that charitable trusts must benefit a charitable purpose, that a charitable trust is exempt from the rule against perpetuities and is therefore easily modified, and that the state attorney, rather than ascertainable beneficiaries, is the primary party with standing to enforce a charitable trust.

Suitable charitable purposes include objectives like the relief of poverty (giving of property to help the poor), the advancement of Read More »What is charitable giving – and is it right for you?