Charitable Giving in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Find the right Charitable Giving attorney in Cleveland Heights, OH

In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, charitable giving is when a person gives 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 feasible: handing the money or property they wish to donate over to the person or group they want to assist.

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.

If you decide to make a sizable donation to a charity that will not actually occur until after your death, the easiest (and most largely-used) method is to simply leave the desired amount of money or property to the charitable organization in your will.

Charitable Trusts in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Legal arrangements known as "charitable trusts" are also utilized to give large amounts of money to charity. It can be used to make the gift quickly, or it can be set to take effect after the donor's death.

While the money, for a time at least, is still technically owned by the donor, it is possessed and controlled by the charity, which acts as a trustee. The trustee is then able to use the money for the charitable purposes which have been laid out in the agreement that initially formed the trust.

The most common kind of charitable trust in Cleveland Heights, Ohio 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.

You should make sure the charity is registered with the Internal Revenue Service, and (if applicable) the taxation authority of .

Do I Need a Cleveland Heights, Ohio Attorney?

Making a substantial charitable donation is a generous and admirable act. Nonetheless, good intentions don't always lead to good results. To guarantee 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 Cleveland Heights, Ohio 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 Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights, Ohio is a suburb of the larger city of Cleveland, the second-largest city in Ohio. It has a population of about 41,000 people, and is situated in Cuyahoga County.

Cleveland heights is mostly residential, and serves as a "bedroom community" for people who work in Cleveland, but want to live in the more quiet and spacious suburbs. Cleveland Heights has a thriving arts community, boasting galleries, theaters, art studios, and more. This makes it especially attractive for younger professionals who are beginning to settle down, but still want to live in a somewhat-cosmopolitan environment, and have easy access to a large city and all the trappings it entails. The city also has several swimming pools, outdoor markets, and an iceskating rink, for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Cleveland Heights, Ohio also has an attractive downtown shopping area, much of which is walkable. Cleveland Heights has a low crime rate for the region, and a relatively high median family income, compared with surrounding communities.

All in all, Cleveland Heights, Ohio is a good place to raise a family, especially if you or your partner work in Cleveland, but don't want to live in the heart of a major urban area.

There are plenty of Cleveland Heights, Ohio lawyers who can help you with whatever legal problem the average person is likely to face. And with the larger city of Cleveland very close by, your selection of lawyers in Cleveland Heights, Ohio is hard to beat.

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