What is a Marital Trust?
Marital trusts are often utilized during estate planning, by couples, as a strategy to hold the necessary amount of assets to ensure that no estate tax is due upon the death of the first spouse.
Who should use a Marital Trust?
If you are married and your estate exceeds the federal estate tax exemption, consider using the unlimited estate tax marital deduction to reduce your estate to within the excludable limits. The remainder will fund a family trust (also called “credit shelter” or “bypass” trust) for the primary benefit of the children, which can also be available for your spouse during his or her lifetime.