Charitable trusts are a popular vehicle for giving, but they can be somewhat complex. To help you sort through the details, I've compiled some basic information about charitable trust planning that can help you guide clients' donations—and help fulfill their philanthropic and financial goals.

At one point or another, many of your clients may want to donate some of their wealth to philanthropic organizations. Their passion and excitement for a certain cause, however, may hinder them from doing their due diligence. As their advisor, you can help them make smart, informed decisions—and help make the giving process a joyful one from start to finish.

For your clients, choosing a charity to support is usually the easiest part of the charitable giving process because they probably have a personal connection to specific causes. But with the many giving strategies, tax issues, and timing concerns, sorting out how to give is not always so straightforward.