Estate Flashcards
(118 cards)
define fee simple property ownership
gives owner right to use, possess, dispose of property in any way they choose during life and at death
passes through probate
sole ownership property
define life estate property ownership
partial interest in property giving person right to possess and use property for remainder of the individual’s life or remainder of someone else’s life
life tenant has obligation to pay tax, make repairs, not commit waste
created either voluntarily or by operation of law
holder of life estate does not choose who receives property at conclusion of estate (this is the remainderman’s decision)
does not qualify for marital deduction
define term of years property ownership
entitles owner to possession and/or enjoyment of property for fixed period (e.g. lease)
define remainder (future interest)
right of third party to use, possess, and enjoy property after intervening right of someone else
define reversion (future interest)
right of original owner or transferor to use, possess, and enjoy property after intervening interest
why is distinguishing present vs. future interest important?
only present interest gifts of property are excludible for gift tax purposes
future interest are important in drafting irrevocable trusts for client wanting flexibility and direction in distribution of estate after death
what is community property?
***subject to probate
assumes property acquired during marriage belong to both spouses unless designated a separate property
upon marriage, each spouse has undivided interest in all community property and both must consent to future transactions of that property
one half of value is included in probate and gross estate of first spouse to die
major advantage is that both halves of property receive stepped up/down basis to FMV at first spouse’s death
only portion owned by decedent can be transferred by will
define common-law property
separate property means titled in only one spouse’s name
vast majority of states use this method
what is the fundamental characteristic of joint tenancy with right of survivorship?
property passes to surviving owner by right of survivorship, by operation of law (avoids probate)
no need to write a will to pass property here
joint tenants have right to sell, but this would destroy survivorship right
stepped up basis of one half of property upon gift or death of first tenant, but one half of property is included in estate of first to die (spouses), but no estate tax liability (qualifies for marital deduction)
percentage of contribution rule used - portion of property included in decedent’s gross estate is based on relative contribution toward purchase price of property (non-spouses)
each tenant owns fractional share of property
taxable gift triggered if one person contributes more to purchase price than the other
if unmarried tenants contribute unequal amounts toward purchase price, tenant contributing greater percentage of purchase price has made gift to other tenant
what are the characteristics of tenancy by the entirety?
right of survivorship
only between spouses and cannot sever interest without consent of other spouse
one half of value of property held is included in gross estate of first spouse to die
joint creditor protection
who has equitable and legal interest in a trust?
beneficiary
trustee
what are the characteristics of tenancy in common?
property owned by 2+ people
each tenant has undivided piece of entire property
no survivorship rights (remaining tenants do not automatically receive additional pro-rated interest)
interests may be unequal and acn be sold, donated, willed, or pass through intestate succession (usually passes through probate)
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of probate?
Adv: Clean titling of assets Orderly administration Implements objectives with valid will Protects decedent against untimely creditor claims Creditor protection to hear claims
Dis:
Cost and complexity
Timing delays
Public process
What are the main ancillary probate rules?
Personal assets owned by descendent probated according to laws of state of residence
Real assets owned are probated according to state in which located
Intangible assets can be probated together in whatever state
What 3 types of transfers avoid probate?
Transfer by operation of law, trust, and contract using beneficiary designations
Define uniform simultaneous death act
Each tenants death occurs within 120 hours of each other, then each joint tenant’s half ownership is subject to probate
many advantages to having a valid will:
■The ability to name an executor or personal representative to administer the testator’s estate
■The ability to designate a guardian to take care of the testator’s minor children
■The possibility of designating certain personal or real property to pass to specified indi-viduals
■The ability to effect transfer tax planning through the use of certain legal interests and testamentary trusts. Testamentary trusts are trusts established by a will. They only operate after the testator passes away.
■Wills have the ability to tailor the estate as the testator wishes. For example, a will can allocate the payment of all administrative expenses to specific bequests instead of pay- ing the expenses from the residue of the estate (what is left over after specific bequests are made).
What is a complex will?
Involves transfer/estate tax planning
Includes testamentary trust
What is a will codicil?
Amendment, update to will
What are the main characteristics of a testamentary trust?
Can be revoked by testator any time before death
Pass under testators will (subject to probate)
not subject to gift tax (because transfer occurs @ death)
allows more flexibility for principal and interest distributions than possible by direct bequest in will
can contain POA provisions to allow beneficiaries some control over the property
no income tax savings to grantor during lifetime, included for estate tax purposes upon death
Define conservatorship
Fiduciary relationship to manage investments for example, where title is not transferred
What are the main characteristics of revocable trust?
Remains unfunded and useful for incapacity planning
Assets avoid probate if funded before death
What is a living will
Suspension of medical care if terminally ill, as determined by a physician
does not appoint decision maker, just lays out directives
What is the trust rule against perpetuities?
21 yr limit on how long most trusts may last after death of grantor