Estate Planning Strategies

In Strategies While the Estate Tax Is in Limbo, Deborah L. Jacobs quotes an estate planner who reckons Congress won't adjust next year's high-rate estate tax (aimed at wealth over $1 million) until months have passed in 2011. Could Jim Gust's diabolical thought come doubly true?

Jacobs' list of estate planning moves to consider in the meantime include

Life insurance trusts funded with new, temporary term policies. Purpose: to cover added estate tax on those who die "too soon" in 2011.

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts. GRATs remain a good deal thanks to low interest rates, and the short-term variety aren't likely to be available long.