Delaware Complex Will with Credit Shelter Marital Trust for Large Estates

The "A Trust" is also commonly referred to as the "Marital Trust," "QTIP Trust," or "Marital Deduction Trust." The "B Trust" is also commonly referred to as the "Bypass Trust," "Credit Shelter Trust," or "Family Trust."

At the time of your death, the assets in your family trust are protected by the exemption, and the assets in your marital trust are protected by the marital deduction. No estate taxes are due.

Yes, the surviving spouse may serve as trustee of the credit shelter trust.All of the assets in the credit shelter trust, including any appreciation in value during the surviving spouse's lifetime, pass free of estate tax to the beneficiaries.

A marital trust is a type of irrevocable trust that allows you to transfer assets to a surviving spouse tax free. It can also shield the estate of the surviving spouse before the remaining assets pass on to your children.

The "A Trust" is also commonly referred to as the "Marital Trust," "QTIP Trust," or "Marital Deduction Trust." The "B Trust" is also commonly referred to as the "Bypass Trust," "Credit Shelter Trust," or "Family Trust."

You can be trustee of your own living trust. If you are married, your spouse can be trustee with you. Most married couples who own assets together, especially those who have been married for some time, are usually co-trustees.

A credit shelter trust (CST) is a trust created after the death of the first spouse in a married couple. Assets placed in the trust are generally held apart from the estate of the surviving spouse, so they may pass tax-free to the remaining beneficiaries at the death of the surviving spouse.

A marital trust starts as a revocable living trust. A surviving spouse can be its trustee.

First, in a standard credit shelter trust, there is no step-up in basis at the death of the surviving spouse.Second, the credit shelter trust is a separate taxpayer and requires its own tax return, Form 1041.