Avoiding the pitfalls of ‘portability’

In the parlance of estate planning, “portability” refers to the ability to transfer unused estate tax exemption of a deceased spouse over to the surviving spouse, who can then add it to his or her own exemption.

By doing this, it may be possible for the surviving spouse to use those accumulated exemptions decades later to shield assets from the state tax at his or her death.

But portability is not a magic bullet, and there are risks if you don’t plan ahead.

You need to be aware of the following limitations:

1) Portability does not apply to state death taxes.

2) Illinois estates can still be at risk of state death taxes.

3) Portability is unavailable for multi-generational or GST tax planning.

4) Portability is not automatic. The executor of the deceased spouse needs to elect to report the exemption of the deceased spouse by filing a federal state tax return, even if such a return is not otherwise needed.

5) Unfortunately, portability wipes out the ability to use various non-tax beneficial tools such as leaving property in trust for the surviving spouse, and the children, and thus providing such added value as creditor protection and divorce protection.

Our clients are visiting our office with outdated wills and trusts that were drafted during the period of high estate taxes.

Now that we are in a low estate tax environment and should be emphasizing income tax more than the estate tax savings, we need to look at portability more than ever.

However, remember portability works well in some cases and not well in others.

Still think that you don’t need to have that old estate plan reviewed and updated?

Think again.

For more, call 847-292-1220, e-mail abferraro@abferrarolaw.com or visit www.ABFerraroLaw.com.

About Anthony B. Ferraro

Anthony B. Ferraro is the founder and managing member at the Law Offices of Anthony B. Ferraro. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy from DePaul University and his Master of Science in taxation. After receiving his CPA designation in 1978, he enrolled in law school, earning his Juris Doctor in 1983 from De Paul University. An elder law practitioner, his practice areas include Medicaid planning and applications, guardianship, probate & trust administration, long-term care planning, nursing home contracts and admission, senior estate planning, special needs planning, estate planning, and estate taxation.

Check Also

The Italian Nativity scene

A Short History of the Nativity Scene Il Presepio / Il Presepe   Each Italian …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want More?


Subscribe to our print magazine
or give it as a gift.

Click here for details