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Text Box: A Guide to Early Termination of a Charitable Remainder Trust Many feel a great sense of satisfaction upon the creation of a charitable remainder trust (CRT). After the newness wears off, however, some CRT income and remainder beneficiaries wish to terminate their trusts. More... A Professional's Guide to Charitable Organizations "A Professional's Guide to Charitable Organizations" is a primer discussing which organizations are tax-exempt under IRC 501(c) and which are qualified as charitable organizations under IRC 170(b)(1)(A). In addition, this article is especially timely as it addresses donor advised funds and supporting organizations, both of which are hit hard by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. More... Testamentary Gifts to Help Children and Grandchildren Several types of charitable techniques are available to donors whose planning goals are twofold: one, to provide benefits to the donor's favorite charitable organizations, and two, to financially assist the donor's children and grandchildren. More... How Investment Decisions Affect Life Income Gifts Anyone involved in the creation or planning of life income gifts knows that the last three years have been the most challenging since the Tax Reform Act of 1969 codified the rules regarding these gifts. The coupling of a significant equity market pullback and the lowest fixed interest rates in 45 years has created challenges for the maintenance of donor relations and establishment of new gift plans, and has created discomfort for fiduciaries managing ongoing gifts. More... Charitable Planning Mistakes to Avoid This article highlights specific areas of the charitable planning process where mistakes seem to recur based on the authors' combined experiences. As you read through the article, mistakes from the seasoned professional to the charitable planning novice are highlighted. By sharing these real-life situations, the authors hope to disperse knowledge, not from the painful school of hard knocks, but from the less painful old cliche, "learn from the mistakes of others." More...

Why Give

Our clients come to us with a variety of problems both large and small. They not only seek immediate resolution of their legal trouble, but hope for a better future. Whether we are saving their homes or rebuilding broken families each client’s case is as important as the next. A look at some of our work sheds light on what we are all about and pays tribute to our talented and dedicated legal staff and volunteers.

Our staff is one of Legal Services of North Florida’s most valuable resources and each day it costs $ 6,300 to provide an access to justice for the people of North Florida. To maintain consistently high quality client services, it is imperative to keep well-qualified and dedicated attorneys, paralegals and support staff that are committed to making a difference in people’s lives. Another on-going challenge is to expand community support by helping the business and private community understand the role of legal services in the quality of life for all. We must continue to educate and inform our leaders, philanthropists, politicians, business people and residents of our community of how integral LSNF is to a safe community.

Everyone Benefits

When we stop an illegal eviction, that is one less person homeless.

When we force a fly-by-night contractor to redo “shoddy” work for an elderly couple, we are discouraging contractors from preying on other victims.

When we save a home from foreclosure, residents do not need to seek shelter at the community’s expense or become homeless.

When we stop a cycle of domestic violence, we are saving lives, enhancing employment stability and reducing healthcare costs.

When we help non-profits with their legal issues, we are helping them to allocate more revenue for their client services.

When LSNF helps clients provide for themselves, other community non-profit resources are not stretched as thin.

You Benefit the Most

You leave a lasting legacy for good. Our efforts, whether in the workplace, our homes, or community will continue and flourish long after we are gone. Your gift to benefit the civil legal needs of our community will ensure the continuation of all we have built together. From dedicated staff and volunteers to consistent donors, all will continue to build this vital and important resource for those less fortunate than ourselves.