Charitable Giving in Westland, Michigan

Find the right Charitable Giving attorney in Westland, MI

In Westland, Michigan, "charitable giving" involves transferring money or property to an individual or organization, expecting nothing directly in return.

Most charitable donors, while they're alive, give their gifts in the simplest way allowed: handing the money or property they wish to donate over to the individual or group they want to help.

Some people, however, may be particularly dedicated to a certain cause, giving rise to a desire to donate a very large percentage of their assets to it. However, during life, this is typically infeasible, since people have their own expenses that they have to cover. So, people often put off this donation until after their death.

There are many arrangements allowing you to donate some or all of your assets to a charitable cause after your death, but direct testamentary gifts (simply leaving money in your will to the charity of your choice) are the most common.

Charitable Trusts in Westland, Michigan

A charitable trust is an arrangement through which some amount of money or property is given to a charity after the donor's death, or during their life.

The money is still technically owned by the donor, but the charity, serving as a trustee, has the power to use it for charitable purposes, with the exact scope of this right having been laid out in the trust agreement.

In Westland, Michigan, a "charitable remainder trust" is the most recognized kind of charitable trust. This allows the money or property to immediately pass to the charity of the donor's choice, so they can benefit from it as soon as possible. The charity takes the money, and invests it (generally in reliable, but not necessarily high-yield, investments). They keep most of the income that this generates, but return a portion of it to the donor on a regular basis, for a set period of time. When this time runs out, the original donation, along with all the income it will generate, becomes the legal property of the charity, to dispose of as it pleases.

Obviously, if you want to help a good cause, you want to make sure that any charity you donate to is legitimate. Sadly, there are quite a few fraudulent charities out there. The best way to do this is to check and make sure that the charity is registered as a tax-exempt organization with the IRS, and the tax authorities in

Do I Need a Westland, Michigan Attorney?

Making a substantial charitable donation is a generous and admirable act. However, good intentions don't always lead to good results. To ensure that your donation has the most positive impact possible, you should discuss the matter in detail with representatives of the organization(s) you want to donate to. It might be helpful to have a Westland, Michigan lawyer handle these negotiations on your behalf, since they will likely understand the legal and financial complexities involved.

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

Life in Westland

Westland, Michigan is located in Wayne County just about 16 miles away from the city of Detroit. It has a budding population of over 86,000 residents. The city had its humble beginnings in the 18th century as a prime location for mill industries.

Currently, Westland is an ideal location for persons seeking employment and residential opportunities. Its location near Detroit makes it an excellent place for commuters to live and engage in retail and commercial activity. For example, the Westland Shopping Center is located in the city. The Shopping Center has over 100 stores that shoppers can choose from. As an "All-American City", Westland also has an abundance of recreational and dining opportunities throughout the city.

Westland is presently invested in preserving its historical roots. Recently in 2009 the city received a grant through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The grant was in the amount of over million and will be used for restoring historic districts.

Many Westland, Michigan lawyers belong to several bar associations, including the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. Membership in multiple bars allows lawyers in Westland to serve their community with a more thorough legal perspective. Most Westland claims are heard in the 18th District Court of Michigan, which was recently renovated to promote more efficient court operations.

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