Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts: How a grantor can have his cake and eat it too.
Do you have a client that HATES the idea of estate taxes? A client that constantly asks how they can avoid estate taxes, but not really give the money away? The Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) could be an answer. A SLAT is an irrevocable trust created by a married person for the benefit of his or her spouse that removes the wealth from the taxable estate.
What's Hot & Not In Charitable Vehicles
Charitable giving is a challenge given market conditions, the lack of appreciated stock and low annuity rates. But even in this environment, there are bright spots. We must simply look for giving plans that are positively affected by low rates. With that in mind, the author set out to determine what's hot and what's not in giving today.
Charitable Contributions & Fair Market Value
IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, gives the basic how to on valuing charitable donations but, even the IRS admits in this Publication that it is often not a simple matter to determine the value of donated property. This article describes some of the most common methods of valuation for various types of property.
Creating Opportunities for Clients to Leave Social Capital This article directed at financial advisors briefly highlights the issues in transferring differing types of assets and includes some twists on old favorites and a few nontraditional ideas for giving including donating vehicles, e-giving, charity shopping web sites and affinity credit cards.
Foundation or Donor Advised Fund: Which is Right For Your Client? Through either a private foundation or a donor advised fund, a donor can leave a legacy that continues for generations and involves his or her children and grandchildren in giving. This article contrasts donor advised funds and foundations.
