Professional Advisor Spotlight

Q & A with David Inabinett

Attorney David Inabinett of Brinkley Walser Stoner in Lexington, N.C., is a valuable FFTC partner. As a professional advisor, he encourages clients to consider innovative, efficient ways to incorporate charitable giving in their current and long-term planning.

1. Describe your relationship with Foundation For The Carolinas. 

My relationship began when I identified FFTC as a perfect resource for a client with charitable, as well as tax-planning, needs. I was later asked to serve on the board of the Lexington Area Community Foundation, one of FFTC’s regional affiliates, and am now its chair. The relationship is one in which I can always lean on specialists at the Foundation for advice and ideas on how best to serve client’s charitable, estate and tax planning needs.

2. What value does your partnership with FFTC bring to your clients?

My clients benefit from the Foundation by being exposed to a resource for accomplishing a variety of estate, charitable and business succession-planning goals with all of the “back office” support of a large organization, but it’s at much less cost than working with other for-profit firms and institutions.

3. How do you encourage clients to consider giving as part of their overall estate plans?

When it becomes apparent that planning “inside the box” may lead to adverse tax consequences, or when there is charitable intent but no clear direction on how to accomplish this, I use the Foundation as a “what if” ice breaker in the discussion. Clients are thrilled to know there are opportunities and ideas out there that they would never have otherwise been aware.

4. What would you like to share with advisor colleagues who haven’t yet partnered with FFTC?

Compare FFTC to any mentor or organization or association that you have found invaluable as a resource to lean on or brainstorm with. We all benefit from those who have helped us become better advisors, and FFTC is no different.