Is there a way to protect estates in excess of the estate tax exemption from significant taxation upon death?
One way is to use a charitable remainder trust (CRT). When using a CRT your assets are protected from capital gains tax and the trust can generate an income for yourself and your family while you are living. The only requirement of a CRT is that you must leave a minimum amount (currently 10% minimum in CA) to a qualifying charity when you die. A CRT can also provide a very nice tax deduction over a 5 year period of time.
