Many people’s family beliefs include charity as a basic tenet. Others may simply feel a social responsibility to aid and share with others. Many families undertake charitable activities together; many wealthy families create philanthropies that carry through several generations of serving others.
I read an article recently that offered suggestions for raising charitable children. Not only can this help reinforce your children’s’ developing values, it may also help teach them what good may come from family assets, how to manage them, and why it is important to protect them even as you utilize them to help others.
These excellent suggestions include:
- Create a family charitable mission statement, choosing charities, and working together as a family on all charitable activities.
- Go through and give away used items
- Donate part of an allowance/decide on a family contribution amount
- “Adopt a family” at holiday time
- Volunteer for a school-related or community cause
- Organize a fundraising project.
In my line of work as an estate-planning attorney, I am often called on to help families create charitable trusts and bequests. I also work with parents to establish plans concerning (minor) children, protect family assets, and more. It is an important part of our mission to empower your wishes to benefit others.
A special note: This December, we at Tatiyants Law, P.C. are adopting a family through the
Glendale YWCA Domestic Violence Project. This excellent organization provides help and protection for families recovering from domestic abuse who are striving to improve their lives. I was first introduced to this organization when I did an internship there while in law school, and also by volunteering there after taking the bar exam. By “adopting” a family, we are able to give one family a more joyful holiday season complete with gifts and all the trimmings, as they look forward to a better, safer 2014.
If you would like to begin a dialogue or have any questions about charitable matters or estate planning issues, please contact me at 818.956.9200. Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season!
Glendale Location
616 E. Glenoaks Boulevard, Suite 203
Glendale, CA 91207
Sherman Oaks Location
15303 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 900
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403