Estate of Bert B. Rapp, Deceased, Richard L. Rapp, Executor - Page 24

                                       - 24 -                                         

             are applied as of the date of the QTIP election, not the                 
             date of the decedent's death.  Third, petitioner argues                  
             that as of the date of the decedent's death, Mrs. Rapp                   
             was entitled to receive annual distributions of all of                   
             the income from the trust because the actions of the co-                 
             trustees and the guardian ad litem in consenting to the                  
             reformation constituted a "qualified disclaimer" under                   
             section 2518.  Fourth, petitioner argues that, as of the                 
             date of decedent's death, Mrs. Rapp was entitled to receive              
             annual distributions of all of the income from the trust                 
             because the cotrustees were obligated to make such                       
             distributions to Mrs. Rapp under a fiduciary duty to look                
             after her best interests.                                                
             Enforceable Right Under California Law to All Trust Income               
                  As a general rule, State law determines the property                
             rights and interests created by a decedent's will, but                   
             Federal law determines the tax consequences of those rights              
             and interests.  E.g., De Oliveira v. United States, 767                  
             F.2d 1344, 1347 (9th Cir. 1985).  In this case,                          
             petitioner's eligibility to include the value of the trust               
             property in the marital deduction, for Federal estate tax                
             purposes, depends upon the nature of the interest that                   
             Mrs. Rapp received in the trust under the decedent's 1986                







Page:  Previous  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  Next

Last modified: May 25, 2011