If you want to minimize estate and gift taxes on assets you intend to leave to your children or grandchildren, particularly when significant assets are expected to appreciate, you may want to consider a charitable lead trust.

Advantages:

• May reduce taxes that would otherwise be due on assets left to children and grandchildren
• Allows donor to make a substantial charitable gift over a period of years until assets are passed on to family

Limitations:

• Although part of a long-term gift to one's family, it is considered a temporary gift in terms of philanthropy

Best assets:

• Rapidly appreciating assets that one intends to pass on to heirs

For more information contact:

• Lisa Gurwitch at 415.512.6221 or lisag@sfjcf.org
• Jennifer Gorovitz at 415.512.6215 or jenniferg@sfjcf.org
• Rita Choit Adler at 415.512.6273 or ritaa@sfjcf.org