Working With Other Advisors During The Charitable Giving Process

Working With Other Advisors During The Charitable Giving Process

There are a lot of legal documents that are needed when developing a charitable giving plan for a client, so as a matter of course other advisors are involved in the process.

Many agents who find themselves working with a clients accountant or attorney tend to think of them as “deal killers,” but this doesnt have to be the case. Developing good relationships with your clients other advisors is a critical part of the planning process, says Gary Rathbun, president of Private Wealth Consultants, Toledo, Ohio.

“Ive seen too many situations where planners will try to leave the attorney out or avoid the attorney,” he explains. “If you ignore the attorney, he will become a deal killer, and he should be. Its just not proper to do that kind of planning for people without their other advisors involved.”

When working with a clients attorney, Rathbun will bring him in very early in the process and provide him with great deal of information. Rathbun goes over every step in the charitable planning process with the attorney and then lets the attorney “be the quarterback and take all the glory.”