[gleeaikin]

If I understand correctly what I was hearing today, it is 45% of the excess over the $3.5 million, or $7 million in the case of a couple. I would like more information on how the government deals with the $7 million if the couple dies at different times.

[Mr. Lucky]

The $7 Million exemption for couples is not automatic, but would ordinarily reqire the creation of something commonly called a "credit shelter" trust or the partial disinheritance of the surviving spouse.