Author name: Ronald Greenberg

Wealth transfer between spouses carries its own potential advantages, including a federal unlimited marital deduction and portability of unused estate tax exemptions. A solid marital foundation, built through proper titling and coordinated planning, often determines how effectively wealth eventually passes to children. Blended families face extra complexity, since horizontal transfers can affect what children from a previous marriage ultimately receive. Timing, joint ownership decisions, and advisor coordination all play a role in avoiding complications later.