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News Testimonial

I have worked with Lynda for nearly three decades on sophisticated gift planning transactions involving hard to value assets including ATM machines to Cattle to Crops in Charitable Trusts. Lynda is a “go to professional” on last minute, up to date issues for gift planning challenges…a critical resource for veteran gift planners.

James C. Soft, President Emeritus

Yellowstone Foundation

Proven Solution

Lynda Sands has been a tremendous asset to our University Foundation and fundraising efforts. She has a rare combination of skills and experience that allow her to see things from a broad perspective, while also providing specific strategic and tactical tools and guidance. She is expert in guiding major and planned giving donor strategy, crafting complex gift agreements and providing legal counsel.

Ahmad Boura, CEO

California State University Chico Foundation

How we do it

Although I’d researched and understood the value of a Charitable Remainder Trust, I was surprised at how many lawyers had no experience with them. Finding Lynda was truly a gift. Her extensive knowledge, her awareness of the possibility of ramifications resulting from early decisions, her brilliance and attention to detail helped us establish a trust I believe in. When I speak with professionals in the philanthropic community, they say, “Lynda? You can count on it being right. She’s the best.” I’m very thankful.

Anique Taylor
MFA Drawing, Art

M.Div, Life Coach

WHO WE SERVE

The estate planning attorneys here in San Diego consider Professor Sands as our professor in all matters pertaining to charitable trusts and foundations. She is also our tax professor. When we can’t figure out what to do or can’t understand what an Internal Revenue Code section means, we call or email Professor Sands. She’s the best.

James Watts, Attorney

Certified Specialist – Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law

ABOUT PAGE

I came across Lynda Sands through a Google search. I was heavily invested in California real estate, including a home in Malibu, and was looking for a way to divest some of these assets, as I was retiring and had no children. I wanted to secure my retirement, do charitable good, and avoid capital gains. I was looking for the right lawyer to come up with creative tax saving solutions. I had already consulted with two philanthropic planning lawyers and had mixed feelings.
During my first consultation with Lynda Sands, I immediately noticed a difference. She was able to explain complex legal concepts in a manner that I was able to grasp easily. She understood my complex tax challenges, with assets in the US and Europe. She did not recommend boilerplate solutions. She suggested approaches that seemed to fit better with my specific complex needs. And since her consulting fees for setting up the FLIPCRUT Charitable Remainder Trust that I needed were the most competitive, it became clear that I had found the right lawyer.
In the 6 weeks that followed, Ms. Sands and I spent many hours on the phone working out the details of the Trust. I am sure we exceeded her time budget, but she never brought it up, and honored the initially agreed upon fee. Throughout the entire process, Lynda Sands was impressively knowledgeable, extremely professional, thoroughly detail-oriented, and truly a pleasure to work with.
Today I received my first distribution from the Trust. My retirement is secured, I am doing charitable good and I have avoided capital gains. What more to ask for? I am extremely pleased with Lynda Sands’ services and cannot recommend her and her firm enough.

Jean-Marie Bonthous, PhD

Founder, Seamless Social

I have worked with Amina for more than five years on both estate planning and charitable clients. Her ability to understand and interpret the needs and motivations of client clearly distinguishes her from the many other attorneys with whom I have worked over the years. Her implementation of the design and structure she created for the client’s plan is outstanding. Amina’s ability to relate to the client and his or her need to understand the benefits of the plan is exceptional due to her manner of expressing complex topics in an easy, understandable way. In addition, her enthusiasm to dig deeply into technical topics illustrates her passion for her practice and her clients.