Writing for the New York Law Journal, Karen T. Schiele and Alison Powers Herman of Carter Ledyard’s Trusts & Estates practice, highlight the importance of a strategic approach to charitable estate planning. Properly structuring testamentary gifts involves navigating complex rules around estate tax deductions, asset valuation, and trust structures to maximize tax benefits and ensure charitable intent. Key legal considerations include securing the estate tax charitable deduction, verifying recipient qualification, ensuring certainty of bequests, and choosing appropriate assets and structures like trusts or annuities. Clear documentation and precise drafting are vital to avoid disqualification and optimize tax outcomes.
