Nashville Tennessee Credit Shelter Marital Trust, also known as a bypass trust or an A-B trust, is a crucial estate planning tool used by married couples in order to minimize estate taxes and protect assets for future generations. This legal arrangement establishes a trust that allows individuals to utilize the maximum federal estate tax exemption available. The primary purpose of a Nashville Tennessee Credit Shelter Marital Trust is to make sure that both spouses can take full advantage of their estate tax exemptions by maximizing the amount of assets that can be transferred to their loved ones tax-free. In this type of trust, couples can leave an amount equal to the federal estate tax exemption in a trust for the benefit of their surviving spouse while still ensuring that the assets ultimately pass to other designated beneficiaries such as their children or grandchildren. There are different types of Nashville Tennessee Credit Shelter Marital Trusts, including: 1. Traditional A-B Trust: This trust is typically established for couples whose combined estates exceed the federal estate tax exemption. It separates the assets into two shares, with one share being placed in the credit shelter trust upon the death of the first spouse, and the other share passing directly to the surviving spouse. 2. Disclaimer A-B Trust: This type of trust allows the surviving spouse to "disclaim" a portion of the deceased spouse's assets, diverting them into the credit shelter trust. By disclaiming these assets, the surviving spouse can prevent them from being subject to estate taxes, benefitting from a higher exemption amount. 3. TIP Trust: The Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust allows the spouse to receive income from the trust during their lifetime while ensuring that the remaining assets in the trust go to the beneficiaries chosen by the deceased spouse. 4. Portability Trust: With the introduction of the portability provision, couples have the option to transfer the unused estate tax exemption of the deceased spouse to the surviving spouse. This allows the surviving spouse to use both their own exemption and the deceased spouse's exemption, effectively doubling the tax-free transfer amount. Setting up a Nashville Tennessee Credit Shelter Marital Trust requires careful consideration of individual circumstances, estate size, and specific estate planning goals. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney familiar with Tennessee laws is crucial to determine the most suitable type of trust and ensure compliance with all legal requirements. This trust can provide peace of mind for couples looking to safeguard their assets and minimize estate tax burdens for future generations.