Charitable Giving in Wilmington, Delaware

Find the right Charitable Giving attorney in Wilmington, DE

Charitable giving in Wilmington, Delaware is the giving of money or some other asset to a charitable cause.

In general, it's very easy to make a charitable donation to a cause you want to help. Whether it involves writing a huge check, or dropping spare change in a donation jar, a huge majority of charitable gifts are made simply by giving money away, with no intermediary or other complex legal arrangements.

What if, however, you want to give all or most of your assets to a charity, to really make a big difference? This is often not practical while the donor is alive, since they presumably have expenses, and want to maintain for themselves the lifestyle to which they're accustomed. Luckily, there are a few arrangements allowing you to have your assets transferred to a charity after your death.

There are many ways you can donate some or all of your property or money to a charity after your death, if you wish to do so. Direct testamentary gifts are the most common and the most simple way to accomplish this. A testamentary gift simply entails giving the money or property directly to the charity, through a provision in your will.

Charitable Trusts in Wilmington, Delaware

A charitable trust is an arrangement by which a large amount of money can be directed to a charity after the death of the donor, or during the donor's life.

In a charitable trust, the money that is donated is still legally owned by the donor. But this is largely a formality, as the charity receives possession and control over the money. The charity is then free to use that money, but exclusively for the purposes laid out in the trust instrument.

The most common kind of charitable trust in Wilmington, Delaware is a charitable remainder trust. This allows you to give as much money or property as you want to a charity. The money is then invested by the charity. The investments are usually fairly conservative, sacrificing large returns for security. The charity then returns a portion of these returns to the donor, or another person named by the donor, while keeping the rest. This lasts for a set period of time, at the end of which the charity gets complete ownership of the original fund.

If you wish to set up a charitable trust in you should check with the IRS and equivalent state agencies to confirm that the charity you want to help is registered with them. This will help make sure that your money is utilized for a good cause (and not to line somebody's pockets) and that your contribution will be tax-deductible.

Do I Need a Wilmington, Delaware Attorney?

If you wish to set up a charitable trust, you should consult with the organization directly. They often know the simplest way to direct any charitable giving to their organization. You should also speak with a reputable trusts and estates attorney in Wilmington, Delaware, who can help ensure that your intentions are carried out.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Wilmington

Wilmington, Delaware is the largest city in the state of Delaware. It currently has a population of about 71,000 people.

The area now known as Wilmington was first colonized by settlers from Sweden in 1638. After World War II, Wilmington, Delaware saw a large increase in prosperity and population, which led to the growth of suburbs around the city.

One of the largest employers in Wilmington is the Port of Wilmington, a large deep-water port, which brings in about 5 million tons of goods each year, playing an important role in the region's economy.

Thanks to its large and diverse economy, the lawyers of Wilmington, Delaware have a broad range of experience and competence. If you live in Wilmington, Delaware and need an attorney, chances are good that there's a Wilmington lawyer who can help you with whatever legal issues you might be facing.

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