The impact of the biases in favor of married couples found in state laws and in the federal tax code on planned giving for unmarried couples is explored in this article published by the Planned Giving Design Center. The usefulness of various planned giving vehicles for these non-traditional couples is examined. This article examines some ways in which the bias in favor of married couples under the federal transfer tax codes as well as state laws impacts unmarried couples. In light of the impact of these laws, it considers ways in which various planned gift vehicles may be useful to these non-traditional couples. The author observes that, depending on the circumstances, these couples may be among the best or the worst prospects for planned giving.
Many married couples face a classic estate planning dilemma.
Funding a bypass trust with retirement plan assets could have adverse income tax consequences. In the law of property, a fixture is an item of personal property that has been so intimately affixed to a realty that it is no longer regarded as personal property but has instead become part of the realty. Analogously, a biofixture is an item that has been so affixed to a person that it has become part of the person. Examples of unequivocal biofixtures would include transplanted allogenic organs and bioprosthetic or mechanical heart valves. In this proposed rule, the USPS proposes to amend 39 C.F.R. Part 111 to clarify its eligibility standards for the Free Matter privilege.