what is the role of the attorney general in relation to charitable trusts

by Aglae Bogisich 8 min read

Accordingly, the attorney general became the proper party to assure the protection of charitable assets and to enforce the duties of charitable fiduciaries. The attorney general's authority over charities applies to all charities, regardless of legal form.Mar 29, 2017

Who enforces a charitable trust?

the Attorney GeneralCharitable trusts are enforced by the Attorney General of the state in which the trust is located.Oct 15, 2021

Are charitable trusts regulated?

Charitable trusts are regulated and promoted by the Charity Commission which also provides advice and opinions to trustees on administrative matters.

What are the requirements for a charitable trust?

There are two elements to this: the charitable purpose must have an identifiable benefit, and secondly, that benefit must be available to a sufficient section of the public. It is for the court to determine whether a particular purpose is charitable.

Who enforces charitable trusts in Texas?

the Texas Attorney General3. Under Texas Trust law, the Texas Attorney General has standing to enforce a charitable trust and if the trust fails because the charity no longer exists or is no longer for a lawful purpose, the Attorney General may designate an alternative charity to give full effect to the Settlor's intent.Feb 12, 2018

Can a charitable trust be revoked?

Revocation. and the settlor is not a beneficiary, the settlor has no legal right to interfere with the trustees to change the terms of the trust or to terminate the trust, unless such rights are specifically reserved in the trust instrument. ... In modern trusts, a power of revocation is rarely found.

Do charitable trusts have beneficiaries?

A charitable trust is a trust established specifically for charitable purposes. ... They are trusts for charitable purposes only (e.g., to relieve poverty) and therefore there are no specifically named beneficiaries; Because of their public nature they are heavily controlled by the courts and legislation; and.

How does charitable trust work?

A charitable trust is set up specifically to help manage charitable giving. It distributes its proceeds and assets to charity based on your instructions, and can do so both during your lifetime and after your death. For this reason charitable trusts are often a significant portion of estate planning.Dec 16, 2021

What is the purpose of a charitable trust?

To qualify as a charitable trust, the trust must have a specific purpose that has been deemed charitable. Under traditional law, this includes relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, promotion of health, governmental or municipal purposes, or other purposes beneficial to the community.

What happens when charitable trust fails?

The general principle is that if a charitable gift has failed because it cannot be carried out by the trustees of the testator's will exactly according to his wishes, the trustees may make an application to the Charity Commission1 to apply the gift to another charity whose objects are, as near as possible, to that ...Nov 28, 2015

How do you dissolve a charitable remainder trust?

Three Ways to Terminate a CRT EarlyDonating all or an undivided fractional portion of the income interest to the charitable remainder beneficiary. ... “Cashing in” all or a portion of the income interest. ... Selling to an unrelated third party.Feb 7, 2015

What is the difference between a foundation and a charitable trust?

Trusts are easier to set up and don't have a separate legal existence. Foundations are organized as separate legal entities and require filing articles with the secretary of state of the relevant jurisdiction.Dec 2, 2021

How do I file a complaint against a nonprofit organization in Texas?

Form 13909, and any supporting documentation, can be submitted in a variety of ways: Mail to IRS EO Classification, Mail Code 4910DAL, 1100 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75242-1198 Fax to 214-413-5415, or Email to [email protected]. The IRS takes all complaints seriously and scrutinizes all referrals.

Who is Nancy McLaughlin?

Nancy A. McLaughlin is the Robert W. Swenson Professor of Law at the University of Utah , S.J. Quinney College of Law. Her research focuses on conservation easement, tax, and nonprofit governance issues and she writes and lectures extensively on these issues. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Utah Open Lands, a member of the Habitat Protection Advisory Committee of the Wildlife Land Trust, and a member of the Lands Protection Committee of Vital Ground, which works to protect grizzly bear habitat. She consults with land trusts, landowners, government entities, federal and state regulators, and others regarding conservation easements and nonprofit governance issues.

Who is Jill Horwitz?

Jill R. Horwitz is a legal scholar and health policy expert who is addressing some of the most pressing law and policy issues of our day, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and the impact of hospital ownership on the delivery of medical services. The University of Michigan is where she was a Professor of Law and Co-Director of their Law and Economics Program. Professor Horwitz is a highly productive scholar who has published in law journals, health policy journals, and economics journals. Her scholarly interests focus on the legal regulation of health care organizations, nonprofit organizations, law and economics, and tort law.

Who is Marion Fremont Smith?

Marion Fremont-Smith has been associated with the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government since 1998, where she directs research on governance and accountability of nonprofit organizations. She is the author, most recently, of Governing Nonprofit Organizations: Federal and State Law and Regulation, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2004. She has published two other books and numerous papers on government regulation and taxation of nonprofit organizations.

Who has oversight over trusts?

The Attorney General has oversight jurisdiction over trusts that are created or hold assets for charitable purposes. More specifically, the Attorney General represents the public beneficiaries of charitable trusts, and not only has the right, but the duty, to protect charitable gifts and the public beneficiaries’ interests in charitable trusts.6

How long does it take to register a charitable trust?

Government Code section 12585 requires charitable organizations, including trustees, to register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts within 30 days of first receiving property (i.e., a cash donation, property donation, or other assets with financial value received for charitable purposes). The initial registration fee is $25. Charitable organizations are required to file the Registry’s Initial Registration Form (CT-1 Form), a copy of the organization’s tax exemption application IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ (if submitted to the IRS), a copy of the organization’s IRS determination letter (if received from the IRS), and copies of the organization’s founding documents as follows:

Why are volunteers important?

Volunteers and interns are a tremendous resource to the nonprofit sector. Because organizations frequently benefit from volunteer assistance in pursuing their missions, it is important that organizations understand the legal and practical differences between paid and unpaid personnel. The use of volunteers and interns entails a certain level of risk both to and from an organization, including labor law violations for misclassification of the worker as a volunteer or intern when the worker, in fact, qualifies as an employee under the law. Other issues may arise, such as liability of the volunteer or organization to third parties for acts committed by the volunteer, misappropriation by the volunteer of the organization’s tangible or intangible property, and unintended tax consequences for any benefits provided to the volunteer that are not exempt (e.g., living allowances or other in-kind benefits that do not qualify as de minimis fringe benefits excluded from tax).

What makes California so great?

What makes California great? The generous people who live here. Californians are big-hearted and charitable. We step up to help those in need, whether in response to natural catastrophes, man-made tragedies, or families struggling in our local communities. In 2017, charities operating in California reported receiving over $236 billion dollars in revenue.

How long does it take to file a 1023?

versions. It generally must be filed within 27 months (15 months plus an automatic 12-month extension) from the end of the month of incorporation, together with a fee. If filed within the 27-month period, tax-exempt status – if granted by the IRS – will be retroactive to the date of incorporation. When Form 1023 is filed after the 27-month period, the IRS grants section 501(c)(3) status retroactive to the date postmarked on the application envelope, absent certain circumstances. More information regarding the criteria and procedures for applying for federal tax exemption can be found in IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.

When do you file 199N?

Form 199 or Form 199N must be filed on or before the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of an organization’s annual tax accounting period (i.e., May 15 for a calendar-year organization). Failure to file either form for three consecutive years results in loss of tax exemption. Also, late filings, or filing with incomplete information, may result in penalties.

What is a religious corporation?

Religious corporations9 are organized for religious purposes. They are usually exempt from income tax , and are not required to register or file annual financial reports with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. See Chapter 12 for more information.

Who has oversight over trusts?

The Attorney General has oversight jurisdiction over trusts that are created or hold assets for charitable purposes. More specifically, the Attorney General represents the public beneficiaries of charitable trusts, and not only has the right, but the duty, to protect charitable gifts and the public beneficiaries’ interests in charitable trusts.6

How long does it take to register a charitable trust?

Every charitable corporation, unincorporated association, and trustee must register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts within 30 days after it initially receives property. Property includes more than just money, such as supplies, food, clothing, real property, stocks and bonds, and other tangible gifts. Thus, even if the charity has no

Why are volunteers important?

Volunteers and interns are a tremendous resource to the nonprofit sector. Because organizations frequently benefit from volunteer assistance in pursuing their missions, it is important that organizations understand the legal and practical differences between paid and unpaid personnel. The use of volunteers and interns entails a certain level of risk both to and from an organization, including labor law violations for misclassification of the worker as a volunteer or intern when the worker, in fact, qualifies as an employee under the law. Other issues may arise, such as liability of the volunteer or organization to third parties for acts committed by the volunteer, misappropriation by the volunteer of the organization’s tangible or intangible property, and unintended tax consequences for any benefits provided to the volunteer that are not exempt (e.g., living allowances or other in-kind benefits that do not qualify as de minimis fringe benefits excluded from tax).

What makes California so great?

What makes California great? The generous people who live here. Californians are big-hearted and charitable. We step up to help those in need, whether in response to natural catastrophes, man-made tragedies, or families struggling in our local communities. In 2017, charities operating in California reported receiving over $236 billion dollars in revenue.

How long does it take to file a RRF-1?

Form RRF-1 must be filed within four months and fifteen days after the end of the organization’s fiscal or calendar year. This generally coincides with the organization’s reporting requirements with the IRS and FTB. If the organization obtains an extension to file with the IRS, the Registry honors that extension.

When do you file 199N?

Form 199 or Form 199N must be filed on or before the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of an organization’s annual tax accounting period (i.e., May 15 for a calendar-year organization). Failure to file either form for three consecutive years results in loss of tax exemption. Also, late filings, or filing with incomplete information, may result in penalties.

Why are charities not profitable?

That is, many charities end up owing more money to their fundraising professionals than they gained from the solicitation campaigns. These losses may be due to multiple circumstances, including hidden or unexpected costs of their fundraising appeals, the lack of core donors committed to donating, or because charity officials were swayed by a fundraising professional’s unrealistic projections.

What does OAG stand for in trust and estate?

In trust and estate matters, including fiduciary accountings, the OAG represents the beneficiaries of dispositions for religious, charitable, educational or benevolent purposes. EPTL § 8-1.1(f). In discharging this responsibility, the OAG does not act as the attorney for any named charitable organization; rather, it represents the interests of those members of the public who benefit from the activities conducted by those charities, sometimes called the “ultimate charitable beneficiaries.” The named charities are entitled to separate representation by counsel of their choosing. This distinction is important in the context of fiduciary accountings, because the OAG is not authorized to approve an accounting on behalf of any named charity. Likewise, the approval of an accounting by any or all named charities is not a substitute for review by the OAG.

What is the OAG in New York?

The Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office (OAG) presents this guidance to assist fiduciaries of estates and trusts with charitable interests, and their advisors, seeking the OAG’s review and approval of informal accountings required pursuant to Estates, Powers and Trusts Law ( EPTL) § 8-1.4(d) and (g) and 13 NYCRR § 92.1 et seq.