WA Estate Tax

[rhodion]

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?

[Anonymous_ · Accepted solution]

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@rhodion wrote:

....suppose my doctor tells me I have 24 hours to live, can I write a check that day and thus avoid estate tax?

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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.