Is there a rule about making a gift in advance of death? For example, suppose my doctor tells me I have 24 hours to live, can I write a check that day and thus avoid estate tax?
....suppose my doctor tells me I have 24 hours to live, can I write a check that day and thus avoid estate tax?
No, you cannot.
Gifts fall into two basic categories; inter vivos and causa mortis (in contemplation of death). Your gift would fall into the latter (causa mortis) and, therefore, would be added back to the estate.
