Charitable Giving in Niagara Falls, New York

Find the right Charitable Giving attorney in Niagara Falls, NY

In Niagara Falls, New York, charitable giving is when a person transfers something to an organization or individual, without consideration (getting something directly in return). This is for the purpose of advancing some type of cause, helping people in need, or any other altruistic motive.

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 want to give a larger percentage of their assets to a charitable organization than would be feasible during life, so they establish some type of arrangement under which the money will be transferred upon the donor's 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 donating the money or property directly to the charity, through a provision in your will.

Charitable Trusts in Niagara Falls, New York

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.

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 gets possession and control over the money. The charity is then free to use that money, but only for the purposes laid out in the trust instrument.

If a person decides to set up a charitable trust in Niagara Falls, New York, they typically set up a "charitable remainder trust," since this is usually beneficial to both the donor (or their estate) as well as the charity. The operation of this type of trust is fairly simple: at a set time (typically the donor's death) the property that the donor wants to give to the charity is handed over, and the charity invests it. The charity benefits by getting to keep most of the money that these investments generate. The donor benefits because they also get a percentage of this income, for a period of time laid out in the trust agreement. Afterwards, the recipient of the donation gets it free and clear.

Most charitable donations are deductible from your state and federal taxable income. However, in order for your donations to count, the charity should be registered with the IRS and equivalent institution in .

Do I Need a Niagara Falls, New York Attorney?

When attempting to establish a charitable trust, or make another charitable donation, the first thing you should do is discuss this with the organization you want to make the donation to. They will probably be able to advise you on how to donate your money in the way that will be most useful to them. And, of course, you should speak with an attorney in Niagara Falls, New York, who will typically be able to make the process much easier.

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Life in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, New York is a city in Niagara County. It is named for the famed waterfall on the Niagara River, where the town is located. It is right across the river from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Both cities are named for the falls, and form an international metropolitan area. Niagara Falls has a population of about 55,000 people.

The economy of Niagara Falls is largely driven by tourism. Also, the falls provide more than enough hydroelectric power to power the town, giving it a cheap and effectively unlimited energy source. This led to the growth of industry in the town's early days. Modernly, however, tourism (with the falls being a major attraction for visitors from around the world) is the driving force of the local economy. However, this has not been enough to create real prosperity, since the departure of heavy industry. Over the last 40 years, Niagara Falls, New York has experienced severe economic hardship. However, there have been signs of improvement in recent years, and city officials and businesses are working very hard to ensure that this forward momentum continues.

If you live in Niagara Falls, New York, and need a lawyer, chances are good that you can find one. Niagara Falls, New York lawyers are able to handle just about any case that can be thrown at them.

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