Sterling Foundation Management is the industry leader in Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) secondary planning, specializing in CRT income interest sales and CRT tax-free exchanges since 2003.
The videos below describe in detail the positive and lasting impact Sterling has made in helping our clients achieve their financial and charitable goals. You can also read written testimonials from many more clients and professional advisors who know our work and understand the value of the services we provide.
Barry Bondroff, Advisor and CPA, Works With Sterling on CRT Rollover To Make His Client’s Children Beneficiaries
Barry Bondroff had a client who no longer needed the forced income from the regular payouts of her charitable remainder trust, nor did she want the tax bill that came with it. Instead, she wanted to let the principal of the trust stay invested to continue growing tax deferred and to eventually make her children the income beneficiaries of the CRT. Barry contacted Sterling and learned about the CRT Rollover, a unique strategy for clients who own CRTs that no longer fit their estate planning needs and would like to make a change.
Sterling Helps Kim Edgar Sell CRT Income Interest After Divorce
Kim Edgar set up a charitable remainder trust years ago with her husband. After the couple divorced, Kim wanted to know if there was a way to split the trust and so they could go their separate ways. Sterling helped Kim and her ex-husband sell the income interest in their CRT and divide the proceeds. Not only are they no longer tied together by the trust, but the sale has given Kim the freedom to start her own business, travel and spend more time with her kids.
Marty Hambel Uses Sterling’s CRT Rollover To Ensure His Wife Carole’s Income is Protected
Years ago, Marty Hambel funded a Charitable Remainder Trust and listed himself and his wife as contingent income beneficiaries. After his wife passed away, Marty remarried Carole. He became concerned that Carole’s living standards might suffer after his passing, but he didn't want to pay a big capital gains tax on the sale of his CRT. Marty contacted Sterling, who helped him roll his current CRT into a new CRT and add his wife as a beneficiary. Now the trust will continue making income distributions for the rest of his and his wife's lifetimes.
Don Mehlig Sells CRT Income Interest, Ends Administrative Hassles
Don Mehlig, Chairman of M Advisory Group, had established a Charitable Remainder Trust more than two decades ago. However, over time he decided that the accounting fees and red tape required to administer the trust just weren’t worth the hassle. When Don received one of Sterling’s letters in the mail, he decided to call to learn more about our program. We reviewed Don’s trust and quickly realized that a sale of his CRT’s income interest was the best path forward for him. Don received a sizeable cash payment and freed himself from the burdensome requirements of his CRT.
Barry Gorsun Sells CRT Interest Income, Reinvests Proceeds, Generates More Income
Barry Gorson, President of Top Gun Sales Performance, established a Charitable Remainder Trust in 1994 that was performing relatively well. When Sterling informed Barry of the possibility of selling his CRT’s income interest, he became intrigued and decided to explore the option. After Sterling conducted a thorough analysis of whether to keep or sell the income interest, Barry decided he would be better off taking the lump-sum payment and reinvesting the proceeds. Sterling guided Barry through the sale process, and he is now earning more than he was when he had the CRT.
David Seems, Advisor, Shares Positive Experiences Working with Sterling From Both the Client and Advisor Perspectives
David Seems, Managing Partner of Business Advisors LLC, recently worked with Sterling on a Charitable Remainder Trust transaction for one of his clients. He explains in detail how Sterling took the time to educate him and his client and guide them through the sales process.
Testimonials
I am a financial advisor and just completed the sale of the income interest in my personal CRT. It was a new concept to me, and I was amazed at the excellent communication and education I received and the efficient service and expediency of the transaction. I have been very impressed with the Sterling team and I feel fortunate to have found a unique new resource for my clients.
Once I crunched the numbers, selling my CRT lead interest was an easy decision for me. Sterling found a buyer willing to pay more for my CRT interest than I could have gotten from keeping the CRT, and I am better off financially because of the transaction. Any person with a CRT should look hard at the sale option. Very satisfied client.
After nearly 15 years of holding our CRT we determined that it was no longer as good a fit for our objectives as it once was. The Sterling team walked us through the process and provided us with the transparency we needed. Working with the people of Sterling was straightforward, with every step clearly laid out and executed. We were pleased with the financial results and their professionalism.
I recently sold my CRT income interest through Sterling Foundation Management. All my queries were answered accurately and in a timely manner. Sterling found us a buyer for the amount we wanted and the paperwork was handled smoothly after that. We closed the deal within weeks, without any glitches. I will highly recommend Sterling.
My parents established a CRT in 2002. The trust gave them a meaningful up-front tax deduction and several years of income – so it had worked well – but in recent years we grew increasingly frustrated with the limited options available to utilize the value of the CRT. We visited with several professionals, including our CPA firm and our estate attorney. No one had any solution other than staying on the same path. When we received a letter from Sterling about the sale option, we were intrigued, but hesitant. We were further intrigued when we saw the numbers, which clearly favored a sale. After review and sign off from our attorney and our CPA on both the transaction and the credibility of the Sterling, we moved ahead with the sale. We were pleased with the entire process. Sterling was easy to work with and the final numbers were as they had communicated from the very beginning. We wanted the best value possible from the CRT, and the sale got that for us. I give Sterling my full recommendation and highly encourage other CRT income beneficiaries to consider this option.
For me, the decision to sell my income interest through Sterling was purely an economic one. I didn't need the money and was not displeased with how the trust had performed. But when I have the opportunity to sell something - in this case my CRT income interest - for more than it's worth to me to keep it, I do it. The capital gain tax treatment of the sale proceeds was also appealing, as was removing mortality risk (no longer do I have to outlive my table-driven life expectancy to achieve the anticipated value from the CRUT). The process itself was straightforward and Sterling easy to work with. Any CRT holder should consider this option.
The process proceeded smoothly and precisely as Sterling advertised, and it was a pleasure to work with your associates. It's a relief to have simplified our finances as we age, and having money now for our grandchildren's college education is a much better use of the value of the CRT.
Within a two-week time frame, I had a lump sum of cash and no more costs and hassles with administering the trust. Sterling is knowledgeable about CRTs,took the time to guide me through the documentation requirements, and answered all my questions in a timely manner. Very grateful.
I want to thank Sterling for the fine job they did in arranging the purchase of our CRT income interest. The transaction was straightforward and fair to me, and they took care of all the complexities.
I wanted to simplify my financial affairs and the CRT was an obstacle to that. I decided to sell my income interest to remove that obstacle and completed the sale just a couple of weeks later. I'd recommend Sterling to anyone in a similar situation.
Sterling answered my questions and those posed by my CPA and attorney. They also provided references to other clients who put me at ease. Sterling can make it happen for you.
In addition to my unease about market valuations, I was growing nervous about social, political, and economic stability. Ultimately, I decided the safest bet for me and my family was to convert our CRT income interest to cash. Sterling provided a thorough and unbiased review, which I discussed with my advisors. Everything checked out and we completed the sale a short time later. My family and I are now in a much better position to deal with the economic and political uncertainties in the years to come.
From initial contact through completed transaction, Sterling handled the process with total professionalism. Everything turned out exactly as described.
I had received letters from Sterling over the years and the options they described were always in the back of my mind. I was going through a divorce and decided the time was right to reach out. Sterling provided a clear review of my options and the decision to sell was a pretty easy one. I found the sale process itself to be seamless and surprisingly straightforward.
We first explored selling our income interest a couple years ago and have been in touch with Sterling on and off since that time. As we've gotten older, we've simplified things and felt like selling our income interest would be a good way to continue doing so. We looked at the numbers a few times and ultimately decided to sell our income interest with the help of Sterling. They made the process easy and we completed a sale in just a couple weeks. It was the right move for me and my family.
Just a quick note to thank the entire Sterling team for one of the most professional experiences I have been involved in throughout my business career. Selling my CRT income interest was something I never thought would have been possible until I discussed the opportunity with Sterling. Can’t thank everyone that was involved enough.
Our CRT worked well but after several years we really grew tired of the hassle. The sale enabled us to escape the administrative burden the trust imposed and exit at a premium to the value of the income stream.
Thanks so much for your efforts in bringing our CRT transaction to a successful conclusion. Even though it seemed complicated to us, you made it real easy with all of your detailed instructions. We are very satisfied with the results.
I recently sold my CRT income interest through Sterling. The process was straightforward and I found Roger Silk and his staff to be courteous and responsive. I was very pleased financially with the outcome and would encourage other income beneficiaries to carefully consider this option.
Sterling provided a valuable service to me and my family by facilitating the successful liquidation of our CRT income interest. They were attentive, professional, easy to work with, and able to find a buyer within a tight timeframe, allowing us to close the transaction by year’s end. We are extremely thankful to Sterling and would certainly recommend them to others considering them.
This is such a relief to have gotten control back of the funds we had invested in the CRT. We have plans that will much better suit and aid our retirement, and are kicking up our heels in glee! I want to thank you again for your knowledge and expertise, and your courtesy. You’re all great; you are truly professionals and a credit to the financial world and the world in general. Good job, thank you for everything. We’ll sing your praises whenever we get the chance!
My family’s long term financial objectives were no longer in sync with the continuance of our CRT. But inquiries into alternatives to keeping it proved fruitless. So when we received a mailing from Sterling offering us a remedy that had proven elusive, we viewed it with a weather eye. However, through conversations, emails, and the prompt receipt of all the resources we requested, Sterling satisfied our skepticism with fact and reassurance at every juncture. The process from introduction to the final wiring of our funds was concluded without a glitch in a couple weeks. A heartfelt thank you!
We wanted to enjoy the maximum dollar result possible. Sterling’s was by far the best and easiest solution.
A mailing from Sterling caught my eye and I responded to learn about the sale of my CRT income stream. I got a prompt response. That was followed up with a conference call with Sterling and my financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. After some addition review, I decided to go forward with the sale. The mechanics on the transaction went very smoothly and much quicker that I expected. Thanks so much for the professional way in which you handled the entire transaction.
This is to certify that I am delighted with my experience with Sterling Foundation Management in connection with the sale of my interest in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust. My wife and I set up a family CRT more than ten years ago. When I received an offer in the mail from Sterling to arrange for the sale of the Trust, I first did some internet research that convinced me that such transactions are indeed legitimate and can be mutually advantageous. I then contacted Sterling by email, and within a few days received a price quote for our interest in the Trust. Subsequent discussions and document exchanges resulted in my receiving a check in full for an agreed upon value of our income interest within about one more month. All my interactions with Sterling representatives have been prompt and professional, and I certainly recommend Sterling to anyone who might like to consider liquidating an interest in a Charitable Remainder Trust.
In all of my dealings with Sterling Foundation Management, I found their staff to be professional, straightforward and expeditious in the sale of the CRT income interest.
Many thanks for concluding the successful sale of our CRT income interest. Diane and I were both pleased and impressed with your handling of the sale procedure and, in particular, appreciated the way you clearly explained the process to us.
I received a letter from Sterling about my CRT… being a rather cynical attorney, I almost pitched it in the shred bin, but I was curious enough about the concept to make a phone to Sterling. I’m sure glad I made that call! After a preliminary discussions with Sterling, I ran it by my financial advisors and accountant, and they were on board with the sale as well, to the point that my financial advisors are going to be working with Sterling to offer this to other clients! The entire process was smooth, courteous, professional, and efficient. If you have a CRT, I highly recommend contacting Sterling!
The process was quick, simple and without any aggravation whatsoever. My husband and I were expertly led through what could have been a lengthy and cumbersome process; instead, it was not difficult in the least. We are most appreciative of the efforts and time granted to us. Every question was answered, every detail was seen to in a more than timely manner, every email and phone call returned almost immediately. One can ask for no better from a company. You are, quite simply, the only company we will recommend. Thank you once again for making this process one that not only gave us financial insurance but also did so in a fair manner.
When my wife and I retired, we set up three CRTs. Over the years, our regular charitable contributions increased to the point where our annual donations were beyond original expectations. We wanted to continue giving at or above current levels but also wanted to pass the legacy of giving to our children. We were not sure how to accomplish this until we received a letter from Sterling Foundation Management that appeared to offer a viable solution. We have not been disappointed! Sterling assisted us in a positive and professional manner. We were able to find a buyer for our CRT income interests at an excellent price. We will use those proceeds to continue to expand our current giving levels. One day we will pass the remainder to our children so they too can further experience the joy of giving. Thank you Sterling!
I recently sold my CRT income interest through Sterling Foundation Management. Consistent with the many testimonials received in due diligence, the process was straightforward and I found Sterling to be highly competent, helpful, courteous and responsive. They worked in conjunction with financial advisors on my CRT, helping to complete the transaction in the timeframe I desired. I was very pleased financially with the outcome and would encourage other income beneficiaries to consider the sale option through Sterling.
I want to thank Sterling for the very professional and competent manner in which you handled my transaction. I would certainly work with you on future transactions and you are welcome to refer me to other potential sellers as a reference. Thank you again.
Sterling was extremely patient and helpful every step of the way.
We were handled promptly in all respects. Those who know me better would attest that is a REAL compliment to Sterling. Can’t sum in up better than by saying I wish I had more business to do with Sterling.
A quality organization. The people with whom I dealt from my first communication to the last were knowledgeable, caring, capable and professional. I recommend Sterling to anyone with a CRT…I will be forever grateful.
Thanks for working with me on the sale of my family’s CRT income interest. You helped me understand the sale clearly and kept everything smooth throughout the process. My attorney confirmed the sale was a good fit for us, the numbers were good, and your documents were too. My thanks to Sterling for your true professionalism and great service.
Sterling was wonderful to work with. They went out of their way to make sure I understood all the details of the transaction. I would recommend them to everyone.