Estate Flashcards
Non-Community Property Interest
- Income earned by spouses prior to marriage
- Property received as a gift by one spouse
- Property inherited by one spouse
- Interest earned on separate assets held by one spouse as a sole owner
Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship (JTWROS)
- Property can be held by husband and wife, parent and child or children, siblings, and business partners
- Control, ownership, and enjoyment shared equally by all joint tenants
- Upon death of each tenant, property immediately passes to surviving joint tenants in equal shares.
- Property NOT controlled by terms of the will
- NOT subject to probate
Tenancy by the Entirety
- Ownership can only be held by a husband and wife
- Transfer of property can only occur with the mutual consent of both parties
- In most states, property is protected from the claims of each spouse’s separate creditors, but NOT protected from the claims of both spouse’s joint creditors
Tenancy in Common
- Two or more owners each own an undivided interest in the property
- Any Income is distributed according to each owner’s respective share in the property
- Owners are free to transfer their respective share of the property to other individuals
- Ownership stake goes through probate upon death
Assets NOT Subject to Probate
- Property conveyed by Deeds of Title (IRA)
- Property held by Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship
- Government Savings Bond - co-ownership
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Payable on Death Accounts (PODs)
- Totten Trust
Assets Subject to Probate
- “Singly” owned assets
- Property held by Tenancy in Common
- Assets where the beneficiary is the “Estate of the Insured”
- Community Property (CP)
Assets Included in the Gross Estate
- Singly Owned Assets
- Tenancy in Common
- Beneficiary is the Estate
- Community Property
- JTWROS/Entirety
- Life Insurance
- General Powers
- 3-year gross-up on gift taxes paid (but NOT GST taxes paid)
Life Insurance Added to the Estate
- Proceeds are paid to the Executor of the Decedent’s Estate
- Decedent at Death possesses an Incident of Ownership in the policy
- Decedent transferred a policy with an Incident of Ownership within 3 years of death
Valuation of a Gift
The value of a gift for gift tax purposes is its fair market value (FMV) at the date of gift.
Basis of a Gift
- If FMV on the date of gift is greater than the donor’s Adjusted Basis, use the donor’s Adjusted Basis.
- If FMV of the gift is less than the donor’s basis, use the chart below:
Client’s Subtituted Basis/Dual/Double Basis
Above $2,015,000 Gain
Between $2,015,000 and $1,515,000 NO Gain or Loss
Below $1,515,000 Loss
Deductible Gifts (Not Taxable Gifts)
Also called Exempt Gifts or Qualified Transfer
- Gifts to a spouse, provided they are not a Terminal Interest
- Gifts to qualified charities
- Qualified payment in any amount made directly to an educational institution for tuition
- Qualified payment in any amount made directly to a medical care provider on behalf of any individual
- Gifts to American political parties
Summary of Rules Regarding Gifts and the Donor’s Estate
- Generally, gifts given are simply “Taxable Gifts” to the extent such gifts exceed the Annual Exclusion.
- Taxable Gifts are added to the Taxable Estate
- Gift Taxes paid (or payable) are generally allowed as credit against the Tentative Tax
- Gift Taxes paid on any gifts within three years of death are added to the Gross Estate
Powers of Attorney
- Traditional, Non-Durable Power of Attorney: Power ceases when the principal is no longer legally competent
- Durable Power of Attorney: Authority of agent continues when principal become incompetent
- Springing Durable Power of Attorney: Main strength is the agent has no authority over the principal’s assets until incompetency.
Power of Appointment (Trusts)
- Special Power: Exercisable only with the consent of the creator of the power or a person having a Substantial Adverse Interest
- Ascertainable Standard: Relating to health, education, maintenance, or support (HEMS)
- General Power: Holder may exercise the power in any manner he/she wishes
Gift and Estate Tax Implications (General Power)
-
Gift Tax Implications (General Power)
- Exercised, Released, or Lapsed → Taxed
- Lapsed with a “5 or 5” power →Not Taxed
-
Estate Tax Implications (General Power)
- Exercised, Released, or lapsed →Taxed
- Exercised, Released, or Lapsed with a “5 or 5” power → Greater of the “5 or 5” is taxed
“5 or 5” Power
Property subject to a General Power will be included in a donee decedent’s Estate (or considered a “Taxable Gift”) only to the extent that the property exceeds the greater of:
- $5,000, or
- 5% of the total value of the fund subject to the power as measured at the Time of Lapse
Grantor Trust Rules (Tainted / Defective Trusts)
Income Tax & Estate
- Trust may be Defective / Tainted for Income Tax and Estate Tax purposes if the Grantor retains:
- A Right to Income or the Right to Use/Enjoy Trust property (Beneficial Enjoyment)
- A Reversionary Interest exceeding 5% (Retained Interest)
Elements of a Trust
- In order for a Trust to exist, there must be Property (also known as Principal, RE, or Corpus)
- There must be a Grantor. This is any person who transfers Property to and dictates the terms of a Trust.
- There must be a Trustee who received legal title to the Property placed in the Trust, and who generally manages and distributes income according to the terms of a formal written agreement (Trust Instrument).
- There must be a Beneficiary who has Equitable Title to the property.
- The Grantor and Trustee must be legally competent.
Simple
vs.
Complex Trusts
Simple Trusts (2503(b), Marital, QTIP) are considered merely a “conduit” for forwarding income to the Beneficiaries (Pass-Through)
Complex Trusts (2503(c)), are separate Tax Entities and taxed as such if it meets two requirements:
- It is irrevocable, and the Grantor has not retained any control
- Income is accumulated
Crummey Trust
- Irrevocable Trust with Demand Rights
- Demand Right given to a minor through his/her guardian
- Beneficiary has Temporary Right to Demand a withdrawal from the Trust that is the lesser of the amount of the Annual Gift Exclusion or the value of the gift transferred
Non-Marital “B” Trust
(Family, Bypass, Credit Shelter, Unified Credit Shelter)
- Property transferred to the Trust at the time of the decedent’s death
- Can be structured to provide a Stream of Income to surviving spouse or other individual
- Decedent has post-mortem control
QTIP “C” Trust (Current Income Trust)
- Provides surviving spouse with a Stream of Income for life, but decedent has post-mortem control of Trust property
- Property qualifies for Marital Deduction
- Mainly used for second marriages
Keyword for QTIP - L.A.M.E.:
- Lifetime income for the spouse
- Annual payments to spouse
- Mandatory payments to spouse
- Exclusively for spouse
Qualified Domestic Trust (QDT / QDOT)
- No Unlimited Marital Deduction
- However, no Estate Tax due
- Jointly held property between spouses is not considered one-half owned
- Limited gift between spouses of only $100K (Indexed) per year
Present Interest Gift Vehicles
- UGMA
- UTMA
- 2503(c) Trust
- Section 529 College Savings Plan
- Gift to a 2503(b)
- Trust is a gift of a future Interest
Charitable Contributions/Transfers
Income to donor until donor’s death:
- Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) - 5%
- Charitable Remainder UniTrust (CRUT) - 5%
- Pooled Income Fund - no 5% required
- Charitable Gift Annuity - no 5% required
Income to the charity:
- Charitable Lead Trust (CLAT/CLUT) - no 5% required
- Private Foundation - 5% - can give money to individuals
Intrafamily Transfers
(Property owner needs income)
Remember: PIGS Need Income
Private Annuity
Installment Sale
Grantor Annuity Trusts (GRAT/GRUT)
Self Canceling Installment Note (SCIN)
Intrafamily Transfers
(Property owner wants to gift assets and/or income to family members)
- Partnership / S-Corp
- Family Limited Partnership (FLP)
- Gift Leaseback
- Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)
Disclaimer
- In order to Disclaim Property, the following requirements must be met:
- Disclaimer must be an Irrevocable Refusal to accept the interest
- Refusal must be in writing
- Refusal must be received within 9 months
- Intended donee cannot have accepted any interest in the benefits
- As a result of refusal, the interest will pass, without the disclaiming person’s direction, to someone else
Post-mortem Planning Techniques
(Estate Liquidity)
Stock Redemption (Section 303):
- Business must be Incorporated (Closely Held)
- Value of business must exceed 35% of the decedent’s Adjusted Gross Estate
- Redemption cannot exceed the sum of the estate taxes plus administrative expenses
Installment Payment of Estate Taxes (Section 6166):
- Value of business must exceed 35% of decedent’s adjusted gross estate
- During the first 4 years (of 14 years) can pay interest only on taxes due
Port-mortem Planning Techniques
(Estate Tax Reduction)
Special Use Valuation (Section 2032A):
- 25% of the Gross Estate consists of real property
- Must be in Qualified Use: 5-out-of-8 year rule before death and 10 years after death.
Transfers through the Probate process are
- Orderly distribution
- Court supervised
- Public for creditors
- Publication of the Last Will and testament
Transfers through Testamentary Distribution
TESTATOR: person making the will
WILL: Creates testamentary Transfers
PROBATE: process by wich transfer is completed
Testamentary TRUST does not go through Probate
Intestate Succession
NO WILL
Advantages of Probate
Court Supervised/Administration
Inventory/Valuation (Marshalling of Assets)
Bill Payment/Resolution of Credit
Oversite of Distribution as directed by will OR Intestate Law
Disadvantages of Probate
Loss of PRIVACY
Will may be contested
Court Costs/Delays
Ancillary Probate
Assets in PROBATE Estate
Singly Owned/Fee Simple
TIC
Community Property (50%)
Estate is Beneficiary
Ancillary Probate Administration
REAL ESTATE in another state other than decdent’s state of Domicile
Competely separate proceeding
Probate Avoidance Strategies
Revocable or Intervivos Strusts
Operation of Law (often account titling): TOD, POD, JTWROS, TBE, Trust Strategies
Transfers by Contract (also avoid probate)
Beneficiaries of insurance, retirement accounts etc.
Property conveyed by “Deed of Title”
Government Savings bonds (Co-ownership)
Election against Will (elective share)
For Spouse who has NOT inherited a minimum amount (per state law). ⅓ or ½ possible of estate of decedent.
USDA Uniform Simultaneous Death Act
5 Days / 120 hours
Couple who dies within 120 hours are considered to predecease each other.
Keeps property from passing through 2 estates before going to contingent beneficiaries.
Totten Trust
Revocable trust in a bank Account
Depositor is Trustee
POD/TOD Disadvantage
If depositor becomes legally incapacitated you need a court order or Durable PoA to make withdrawals
Community Property States
NV, CA, AZ,NM, TX, WA, ID, WI, LA
Community Property Definition and Features
100% Step Up (LTCG, not ord. income property)
Separate, UNDIVIDED equal interest (50/50)
ALL property and income acquired during marriage
ALL interest accumulated during marriage (on non-community properties)
NO SURVIVORSHIP RIGHTS
Will is Needed
Commingled assets with NO paper trail
Pension/Retirement Plans (HR-10) are 50% owned by spouse
NON Community Property
Gifts from a spouse
Inheritance
Income PRIOR to marriage
Interest on Separate assets
Can Life Insurance Death Benefit be a “Step-Up”?
Yes, if we don’t know if upon transfer if it was paid up or not
Are assets with no beneficiaries a probate asset?
YES.
What is the best trust for community property?
Revocable Living Trust
(spousal remainder trust not effective)
Quasi Community Property
Assets acquired while living in a Non-Community property state when couple moved to a community property state.
Probate and Disclaimability
Sole Ownership/Outright Ownership/Fee Simple
SUBJECT to PROBATE
CAN be Disclaimed
JTWROS
NOT subject to probate
CAN be disclaimed
Not Controlled by WILL
Tenants must be adults, shared equally (income and principle)
Immediately passes to survivors
RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP
JTWROS - ESTATE TAx for NON Spouse
FULL VALUE included in first to die UNLESS survivor can establish OWNERSHIP/Consideration BEFORE JT was created
JTWROS Spouse
First to die: 50% of property FMV included in Gross Estate
TBE
NOT Subject to probate
CANNOT be disclaimed
Protected from claims of each spouses separate creditors (but not both if joint claims)
Dissolution by death, divorce, mutual consent
TIC
Subject to Probate
CAN be Disclaimed
NO Survivorshiprights
Several Owners
Free transferability of Shares
Trustee Ownership
Trustee Holds Title
NOT Subject to probate
Holographic Will
Handwritten and signed
Nuncupative Will
Oral Will (as in combat; must have witnesses
Legal Requirements of a Will
Generally must be in Writing
Must be Witnessed
Attestation clause (required in some states: “will was validly executed” by state and witnessed.)
Modifying or Revoking a will
Wills are Ambulatory: can be changed
CODICIL for minor changes
If revoking, new will must state as such
May be revoked if INTENTIONALLY destroyed by shredding/tearing
Divorce may revoke certain portions of a will (state specific)
Avoiding Will Contests
MUST be presented in Probate Courte
Some attorneys video a will execution for evidence (testator has questionable capacity or an unusual disposition of property.)
NO CONTEST CLAUSE: not recognized in all states
Powers of Attorney vs Revocable Trust
Durable: ends at death
NonDurable: ends at incapacity
PoA may not be recognized in all states
Trustee powers cross state lines and continues past death.
Testamentary Trust
Created by will
Effective when will is submitted to Probate
Testamentary trust does NOT go through probate
Estate tax filing requirements and calculation
Federal estate tax Form 706 must be filed for citizens or residents with a total gross estate plus adjustable taxable gifts equaling or exceeding the amount of the exemption for the year of death. $12,060,000
The executor is responsible for paying the tax
Probate and NonProbate
Estate Calculation Road Map
Key Elements of Form 706
What is in the GROSS Estate
All Probate and NON probate assets
FMV of Property on Date of Death
JT w/Spouse (50%)
JT w/non Spouse (100%, subject to consideration)
Community Property (50%)
NOTE: Life insurance can be included if decedent was insured or owner or both (Cash Value or Face Value – good for estate liquidity)
THREE YEAR RULE for including in Gross Estate
Transfers of Life Insurance within 3 yrs of death
Gift TAX paid out of pocket
Gifts of real estate property or cash are NOT subject to 3 yr rule –only gift tax paid.)
Survivorship Annuities
MOST included in Gross Estate.
IF survivor has rights to Lump Sum = FULL VALUE
IF annuity =PV of Future Payments
Transfers with Retained Life Estate
Retained rights of enjoyment (income, use, or ownership – joint or sole)
Included in Gross Estate
(529 exception to the rule)
Exclusions from Gross Estate
Life Insurance owned by OTHERS
COMPLETED Gifts
Life Estate (not retained) for decedent’s own life policy
Adjusted Gross Estate
= Gross Estate - (admin & funeral expenses, debt, losses, taxes)
TBE can only pass to…
Surviving spouse (no disclaimer)
What is considered a Charitable Deduction?
Outright transfer to QUALIFIED Charities are 100% deductible for BOTH Estate and Gift Tax purposes
What do you do with STATE taxes in terms of and estate?
State level death or inheritance taxes may be deducted from Adjusted Gross Estate
What to do with ADJUSTED TAXABLE GIFTS
Taxable gifts made post-1976
NOT included in GROSS Estate.
TAXABLE GIFTS are ADDED BACK to the TAXABLE ESTATE to get to the Tentative Tax.
TAX BASE is…
= Adjusted Taxable Estate + Gifts
TENTATIVE TAX is …
= Tax Base - $12,060,000 exemption
NET ESTATE TAX is …
= Tentative Tax - (Tentative Tax * 40%)
Lifetime Gifts and Testamentary Transfers
Same Tax Rate 40%
Same Exemption $12,060,000
Unlimited Marital Deduction
Unlimited Charitable deduction
- Gifts: May be used in full WHILE LIVING*
- AND again at Death BUT*
- TAXABLE GIFTS ARE ADDED BACK TO THE TAXABLE ESTATE (no gift tax paid)*
Transfer Tax is… CUMULATIVE
Through life, death, and skips. Three Separate Taxes (four with income Tax)
What is PRIOR TRANSFER CREDIT
For property passing between TWO taxable estates within 10 years.
Credit for inheritance and avoiding double taxation the same money
Sources of Estate Liquidity
Sale of Assets
⇒ If marketable, get step up.
⇒ Annuities (have tax liability above basis)
⇒ Buy/Sell Agreements (Closely Held Biz)
Life Insurance (ILIT or Direct Ownership or through Buy/Sell)
⇒ If Insured OWNS a policy on his OWN life, full proceeds will be included in the GROSS ESTATE.
What happens to the CASH value of life insurance benefit at death?
CV is retained by the carrier
unless policy is UL or VUL
Powers of Appointment
General
… and Limited Powers
⇒ Special
⇒ Five or Five
⇒ Ascertainable Standard
General Power (considered OUTRIGHT OWNERSHIP)
Transfer of property to anyone
Power to invade corpus
Power to affect “beneficial enjoyment”
⇒ by altering, amending, revoking or terminating trust
Trustee holds legal title
Special (Limited) Power
Transfer limited to
⇒ designated individuals
⇒ Specific Circumstances
⇒ With consent of another holder (to act in concert)
Five or Five Power
Flexible planning technique with minimum tax consequences.
Property subject to GENERAL POWER only if it exceeds the GREATER of
⇒ $5,000 or 5% of total value
Power is granted to Beneficiary.
⇒ 5/5 is INCLUDED in GROSS estate if on exercised (or spent down if exercised.)
General Power: Lapse, Exercise, or Release of Power
Lapse: if not used for a time
Released when a holder relinquishes all control (to determine who beneficiaries will be)
Ascertainable Standard (a limiting power)
HEMS
Maintenance and Support definition is broad (not limited to the necessities of life.
Grantor can specify “reasonable comfort”, “accustomed manner of living”, “health and reasonable comfort”
Tax implications for Powers of Appointment
SPECIAL Powers (Lapse, Release)
Tax implications for Powers of Appointment
GENERAL Powers (Lapse, Release)
General Power IS included
In the GROSS Estate
… because they can make taxable decisions