Good news for the world of philanthropy: charitable giving is not dead. With the recent changes to the tax code, it’s an appropriate time for estate planning professionals to revisit charitable giving with a view toward identifying these new opportunities and assessing how a charitable giving plan works within the broader estate planning strategy. 

Despite the worry that the increase in the standard deduction under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would negatively impact philanthropic activities, charitable giving has continued to increase since 2018. This suggests that charitable giving is still important to many of your clients. Historically, 30 percent of charitable giving activity takes place during the holidays, so December is the perfect time to help clients incorporate their philanthropic desires into their estate plan.

Crafting lasting legacies is what estate planning is all about. At WealthCounsel, we help attorneys draft legacies to have a steadfast, positive impact on their clients and their clients’ loved ones. But legacies aren’t just legal papers dictating the transfer of assets. At their root, they are the means by which we pass on our stories and take care of our families.