Charitable trust research
originally posted: 11/22/2006 reposted: 2/18/2011 This post has not been recently reviewed or revised by the author and may be out of date. If you notice an error or are in doubt, please send a new question by email or ask for an update. Email asktony@tonynovak.com.
Q: I am researching a charitable trust fund that is going to be set up for the church that I attend. Can you help?
A: You should be aware at the outset of your research that the entire approach to charitable trust planning is directed by the source of the information. The primary driving force behind most charitable trusts are life insurance companies and agents who provide this professional assistance without charge as long as the trust is funded with life insurance. This is great if you are sure that the trust will be funded with life insurance. Accountants and fee-based advisers tend to offer more flexible funding options including the use of real estate and other assets (or even offer the ability to establish an unfunded trust), but there is an up-front cost for this planning. In either case, the best approach might be to speak with a life insurance agent first and then get a second opinion from an independent non-commissioned tax adviser. This will minimize fees and you would not be committed to any specific action. See the details of ordering service at http://www.tonynovak.com/onlineadviser.htm.
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