An unusual court fight that's been playing out in Pennsylvania for over a year has pitted more than a dozen schools against the family of the late Campbell’s Soup heiress, Dodo Hamilton, who provided more than half of the UArts endowment. Her heirs are now seeking to claw it back. 09 Mar

Campbell’s Soup Heirs vs Colleges: Court Battle Over Endowment

Canadian professional advisors ought to be cautious when advising U.S. donors.  Although most charitable donations to Canadian charities are likely allowed as a deduction for U.S. tax purposes, it comes with some limitations; notably, the deduction is only applied for Canadian source income and only if the Canadian registered charity meets the U.S. requirements of a qualified charity. 15 Jul

Tax Benefit Limitations: Cross-Border Charitable Donation

Charitable Bequests: The Importance of Names 10 Jul

Charitable Bequests: “What’s in a Name?”

$500K estate of woman under care of public guardian will go to Winnipeg Foundation. Court finds note leaving only $1 to family and friends, written by woman who led 'solitary life,' is valid... 26 May

Court Rules in Favour of Winnipeg Foundation in $500k Estate Case

Lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett, from Maurice Blackburn, tackle problems everyday Aussies face. In this article, they address the following question– posed by a woman who 'isn't happy with her inheritance'. 25 Apr

Mum’s $20k Inheritance Gift to Charity ‘Upsets’ Daughter: Australia

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind 04 Apr

Charitable Giving: Legacy is More than What You Leave Behind

Recent court ruling underscores a fundamental lesson for charities involved in property or trust matters: clear, formal documentation is essential. Without a properly executed declaration of trust, even well-intentioned trust arrangements can fall short in court. 27 Mar

The Case of The Property Trust: a Cautionary Tale for Charities

A common misconception about donor advised funds is that they are trusts, charitable purpose trusts. At times, lawyers, especially those with expertise in trusts and estates, struggle with this distinction, as do donors. 13 Mar

Donor Advised Funds vs. Charitable Purpose Trusts

The New Charity Funding Crisis: Aid & Education at Risk 20 Feb

The New Charity Funding Crisis: Aid & Education at Risk

Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose 04 Feb

Family Philanthropy: Passing Down with Purpose

A charitable legacy can be an integral part of estate planning, providing a meaningful way to support community initiatives, educational institutions, medical research, or other important causes. The process involves allocating a portion of your estate to benefit causes or organizations you care about, but how is this done? 09 Jan

How To Leave a Charitable Legacy through Your Estate Plan

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so the strategy that’s right for you may not be appropriate for someone else. That’s why you should seek legal and tax advice when incorporating charitable or philanthropic giving into your estate plan. 16 Dec

Have You Built Charity & Philanthropy into Your Estate Plan?