Washington Complex Will - Max. Credit Shelter Marital Trust to Children
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FAQ
When the credit shelter trust is initially funded upon the death of one spouse, the assets that are placed under the trust receive a step-up in basis. This is an important consideration, because any assets held in a CST don't receive a second step-up in basis upon the death of the surviving spouse.
How a Credit Shelter Trust Functions. When the surviving spouse dies, the assets held within the trust are not included in their taxable estate. This means the value of these assets is not subject to Washington estate tax.
CSTs are created upon a married individual's death and funded with that person's entire estate or a portion of it as outlined in the trust agreement. These assets then flow to the surviving spouse.
This trust is irrevocable and will pass to beneficiaries other than the surviving spouse (usually their children). The surviving spouse must follow the trust's plan without overly benefiting from its operation, but this trust often passes income to the surviving spouse to live on for the rest of their life.
Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the trust transfers to the heirs, who are exempt from the estate tax that would have resulted from a combined inheritance. Disadvantages of a CST include formation costs and the surviving spouse's lack of control.
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.
Credit Shelter Trust vs Marital Trust - Is a Marital Trust the Same as a Credit Shelter Trust? No. A Marital Trust is a type of Credit Shelter Trust. You and your spouse can use a Marital Trust to pass assets to a surviving spouse, children or grandchildren.
