Charitable Planning

Copenbarger & Copenbarger attorneys have helped clients donate over one billion dollars to churches and charities.

We can help you if you answer “yes” to any of the following:

  • Do I like the idea of getting income tax and estate tax benefits while giving?
  • Do I want to minimize income taxes and retain an income stream for my lifetime?
  • Do I know that I have a short window to make current gifts before the estate tax exemption drops substantially in a few years, but that gifts made before the exemption drops won’t be counted?
  • Do I like the idea of redirecting estate taxes from the government to charity?
  • Do I like the idea of gaining greater influence in my community by giving while I’m living?

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    Charitable Giving

    Our attorneys have a wealth of experience in charitable trust planning and will take all the time needed to structure your trust to meet your goals. Clients tend to be very happy when they implement charitable giving trusts with charitable beneficiaries about which they are passionate. These trusts allow charitable donation deductions against your taxable income for the current year and up to the five following years.

    Lifetime Charitable Lead Trust
    This trust provides annual payments to a charity over a term of no more than 20 years. When the payments stop, the remaining assets are returned to you. We’ve seen local charities immediately start inviting the donor to lunches and meetings to learn more about organization’s current programs. Donors sometimes even have the opportunity to make suggestions. It can be a heart-warming to do some of your giving while you’re living, especially in a context that gives you greater influence in your community.

    Lifetime Charitable Remainder Trust
    This trust provides a trilogy of benefits: reducing your income taxes, dispersing monthly payments to you over your lifetime, and charitable giving to a cause you care deeply about. It is sometimes referred to as a “Tax Avoidance Trust,” for its ability to eliminate capital gain tax on the sale of an appreciated asset.

    We tailor the CRT payments to the amount of the CRT income payments to meet your needs. We call it the crème-de-la-crème of charitable giving!

    Testamentary Trusts: Both of the following trusts are set up in your Revocable Living Trust, for funding after your lifetime.

    Testamentary Charitable Lead Trust: This trust is typically funded at your death to redirect estate tax saving from the government to your church or favorite causes.
    Testamentary Charitable Remainder Trust: This trust can provide a stream of monthly payments to a child or other heir for their lifetime or a term of years. When the trust term is over, the remaining property goes to the charity.

    Schedule a zoom meeting or call with us to discuss charitable trusts! Particularly with a capital-gains avoidance plan, be sure to schedule to meet with us before you’ve marketed the appreciated asset you want to sell– so that the necessary steps can be put in place before the sale.

    The sooner you schedule, the sooner the tax savings will be available to you!

    Why Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP?

    We are a full-service law firm that has been serving families throughout California since 1979. Since the beginning, our firm’s goal has been to protect clients just like you and families just like yours by protecting your legacy and resources for generations to come. We recognize that every person is a unique individual with unique needs and circumstances. We aim to be your first resource for all professional needs and to ensure that your choices, your wishes, and your legacy are protected.

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