- 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 1986Page: Previous 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Next
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