Married Couples can Use Estate Tax Exemptions in Estate Planning

Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial management, particularly for married couples. It involves careful consideration of estate tax avoidance and mitigation strategies to ensure financial security for the surviving spouse. According to a recent article from The National Law Review, "Basic Estate Tax Planning for Married Couples: Opportunities For Use Of Estate Tax Exemptions," the first spouse can leave property of unlimited value to the surviving spouse without incurring any estate tax upon their death. This is known as the unlimited marital deduction, and it plays a vital role in shielding assets from estate taxes and supporting the surviving spouse.

Assets can be distributed directly to the surviving spouse or indirectly through a qualifying trust for the surviving spouse's benefit. Trusts are commonly used for asset protection, particularly for preserving assets for children from a prior marriage and providing asset management assistance for the surviving spouse. The marital deduction is a valuable tool for estate tax avoidance for married couples.

However, estate tax law is less generous for non-spouse beneficiaries. Legislation passed in 2013 allowed individuals to leave assets totaling $5 million in value (indexed to inflation since 2011) to non-spouse, non-charitable beneficiaries. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled this amount to $10 million. However, this amount will halve unless Congress passes additional legislation before the sunset date of January 1, 2026.
In 2013, Congress made the portability of a spouse's estate tax exemption permanent. This allows the surviving spouse to capture and use the first decedent spouse's remaining estate tax exemption and the surviving spouse's exemption. To capture this estate tax exemption, an estate tax return must be filed in a timely manner after the death of the first spouse.

For spouses with a total estate exceeding available exemptions, they may use what is known as the "Credit Shelter Trust Planning" or "Optimal Marital Deduction Planning." A trust is established, funded with assets of the first spouse to die, to use the spouse's estate tax exemption. Assets in the trust are available to the surviving spouse for life but are not included in the survivor's taxable estate upon their death. The goal is to benefit the surviving spouse and reduce any estate tax to maximize benefits for the children and grandchildren.

Another frequently used tool is the "disclaimer" plan, which allows the survivor to move certain assets into a trust for the survivor's benefit rather than receiving assets directly. For married couples with estates valued at less than their available estate tax exemptions, a disclaimer plan provides the "all to spouse" plan and the option to implement a tax-advantaged trust. All assets are left to the survivor; then, based on the value of the first spouse's estate, the surviving spouse may choose to disclaim the first spouse's assets and divert them to a tax-advantaged trust.

It's important to note that there is no "one-size-fits-all" plan for married couples who wish to care for their surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren. Each couple's situation is unique, and their estate planning needs will vary accordingly. Understanding the essential estate tax avoidance or mitigation tools is the first step in creating an estate plan that aligns with the couple's planning goals and values. An experienced estate planning attorney can create a comprehensive estate plan tailored to each family's needs.

In conclusion, estate planning is not just about preparing for the inevitable; it's about ensuring your loved ones are cared for even after you're gone. It's about making informed decisions today that will significantly impact your family's financial future. So, take the time to understand the opportunities for using estate tax exemptions and engage an experienced Austin estate planning attorney to guide you through the process. Your family's financial security is worth the effort.

Reference: The National Law Review (June 24, 2023) “Basic Estate Tax Planning for Married Couples: Opportunities For Use Of Estate Tax Exemptions”