Marital Trust : an estate planning tool

Abstract

Everybody has the right to pass property from one generation to another. However, this right is subject to federal estate and gift taxes and to Missouri estate taxes. Estate planning has two purposes: To provide for orderly distribution of property. To reduce the effect of taxes on this distribution of property. This publication discusses an estate planning tool called the marital trust. A marital trust can reduce the impact of estate taxes and provide professional management for assets passed at death. This publication emphasizes the recent federal estate and gift tax changes caused by the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981.