A charitable trust is a valuable estate planning tool that allows you to support the causes you care about while also providing tax advantages. These trusts are designed to benefit one or more nonprofit organizations, either during your lifetime or after your passing. With the right structure, charitable trusts can reduce estate and gift taxes, generate income, and help ensure your legacy has a lasting impact.
At OC Wills & Trusts, we’ve been helping individuals and families across Orange County plan for the future since 2008. Our attorneys focus exclusively on estate planning and offer personalized guidance to ensure every client’s goals are met. We believe in transparency—there are no hidden fees or surprises. When you work with us, you’ll receive clear advice and a custom estate plan designed to protect your assets and support your values.
What Are Charitable Trusts?
Charitable trusts in California are set up to benefit one or more charities. A trustee manages the assets to make sure the donor’s wishes are carried out.
These trusts can help:
- Lower estate and gift taxes
- Provide steady income to a charity
- Support causes the donor cares about
Common types include charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts, each with different rules and benefits. Setting up a charitable trust can be complex. California law and the IRS have strict requirements, so it’s important to work with an estate planning attorney. The team at OC Wills & Trusts can help you choose the right option and make sure your goals—and the needs of the charities—are fully addressed.
Advantages of Charitable Trusts
Beyond the philanthropic aims of a charitable trust, these estate plans can also provide advantages for the person founding the trust. These are some of the most powerful benefits of a charitable trust:
Tax Benefits
In California, donors are permitted to deduct their contributions from their taxed income. A charitable trust can also lower estate taxes by reducing the taxable value of the decedent’s assets.
Donors can use charitable trusts to offer sizeable gifts to charitable entities. In some cases, this will reduce the amount of gift taxes the donor owes. Discuss the potential tax benefits in your case by contacting a seasoned estate planning attorney.
Ensuring Your Wishes Are Carried Out
Charitable trusts are very flexible. This means you can determine specifics about how your assets and property are distributed and used. When you form a charitable trust with the help of a skilled attorney, you can rest assured that your wishes will be carried out accurately.
Another security measure that charitable trusts provide is a professional trustee. This trustee will ensure that your assets are used according to your wishes.
The many benefits of charitable trusts in California make them an ideal choice for many people who are planning their estates.
Disputes over Trusts
In some cases, disputes arise about the execution of a charitable trust or the distribution of the relevant assets. If you are involved in a dispute involving a trust in California, make sure to secure legal representation.
Disagreements about estate plans can swiftly turn into expensive and prolonged legal battles. No matter your role in a dispute of this nature, having a trust and estate lawyer represent you is critical.
Contact Our Charitable Trusts Attorney in Orange County
If you’re considering a charitable trust as part of your estate plan, the accomplished attorneys at OC Wills & Trusts are here to help. Serving Orange County since 2008, our team will guide you through your options, explain the tax benefits, and ensure your charitable goals are met. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees or charges. When you hire us, you can trust that we’ll help you create an estate plan tailored to your needs. Contact our office today to schedule a legal consultation.
With offices in Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim, OC Wills & Trust Attorneys also serves clients throughout Southern California, including Mission Viejo, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Seal Beach, Long Beach, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, and the greater Orange County area.
