Many people want their estate plan to do more than distribute assets—they want it to reflect their values. At Schaffer Herring PLLC, we help clients in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma build charitable giving into their estate plans in a way that is meaningful, strategic, and legally sound.
Whether you’re interested in making gifts to a favorite cause, establishing a family foundation, or creating a long-term giving strategy, our estate planning attorneys can help you shape your legacy with care and clarity.
Charitable Giving Options in an Estate Plan
There are many ways to incorporate charitable giving into your estate plan. We guide clients through options such as:
- Outright gifts in a will or trust – A simple bequest that names a charity as a beneficiary of specific assets or a percentage of the estate.
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs) – A flexible tool that allows you to recommend grants to charities over time, even after your lifetime.
- Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) – A tax-efficient way to provide income to yourself or loved ones during life, with the remainder going to a chosen charity.
- Private foundations – For clients seeking long-term philanthropic impact and family involvement.
- Beneficiary designations – Naming a charity on life insurance or retirement accounts.
Each option has different legal, tax, and practical considerations. We help you choose what fits your goals best.
Benefits of Charitable Planning
Charitable giving offers more than personal fulfillment—it can also provide significant financial and estate planning advantages, including:
- Potential reductions in estate taxes
- Income tax deductions (in some cases)
- Asset protection for heirs
- A structured legacy of giving that reflects your personal or family values
We ensure these benefits are properly aligned with your broader estate plan.
Aligning Charitable Giving with Your Legacy
We take time to understand what matters most to you. Whether it’s supporting education, faith-based organizations, medical research, or local community work, your estate plan should reflect those priorities.
We also work with your financial advisor or CPA to ensure charitable giving strategies support your full financial picture.
Who We Help
Our team assists a range of clients, including:
- Individuals or couples planning charitable bequests
- Families setting up multi-generational giving plans
- Business owners seeking philanthropic tax strategies
- Clients who want to simplify charitable giving through trusts or DAFs
Plan Your Legacy with a Tulsa Charitable Giving Attorney
A thoughtful giving plan allows your estate to make a lasting difference. At Schaffer Herring PLLC, we’re here to help you structure your charitable contributions in a way that’s legally secure and personally meaningful.
Contact us today to speak with an estate planning attorney about charitable giving and legacy planning in Tulsa.
Contact the attorneys at Schaffer Herring PLLC today to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can include a charitable bequest in your will or trust by naming a nonprofit organization and specifying the amount or percentage you wish to give. This can be a specific dollar amount, a particular asset, or a portion of your overall estate.
A charitable remainder trust allows you to donate assets to a trust, receive income from those assets during your lifetime (or for a set term), and have the remainder go to a charity after that period. CRTs can offer income tax deductions and reduce estate taxes.
Yes. Charitable gifts may reduce the size of your taxable estate, and certain types of giving (like charitable trusts or donations of appreciated assets) may offer income tax advantages as well. We help clients structure gifts to maximize these benefits.
Yes. You can designate a qualified charity as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account. This is often a tax-efficient way to make a charitable gift, since charities are exempt from income taxes that would otherwise apply to individual beneficiaries.
If you have more questions about estate planning, we’ve answered many of them on our Estate Planning FAQs page. You’ll find detailed information about wills, trusts, probate avoidance, and more.