Estate of Rubin v. Commissioner

57 T.C. 817, 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159
CourtUnited States Tax Court
DecidedMarch 20, 1972
DocketDocket No. 848-70
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 57 T.C. 817 (Estate of Rubin v. Commissioner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Tax Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Estate of Rubin v. Commissioner, 57 T.C. 817, 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159 (tax 1972).

Opinion

OPINION

Dhennen, Judge:

Respondent determined a deficiency of $13,978.24 in the Federal estate tax of petitioner. Two issues are presented for our determination: (1) Whether decedent’s estate is to be allowed a marital deduction under section 2056 of the Internal Revenue Code of 19541 as a result of his bequest of 50 percent of his residuary estate to a testamentary trust with provisions that the trustees pay his surviving spouse a lifetime support allowance of $100 a week from trust income, with remainder over to petitioner’s children; and (2) whether, in the alternative, decedent’s testamentary trust support arrangement for his surviving spouse, which was made in compliance with the terms of an antenuptial agreement, can qualify as a claim deductible from his gross estate pursuant to section 2053.

All of the facts are stipulated and are found accordingly.

The decedent, Isadore Rubin, died on October 30,1965, a naturalized citizen and a resident of Indiana, Pa. Decedent’s Federal estate tax return was filed with the district director of internal revenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.

On July 1,1960, Isadore Rubin, a widower with the intent of marrying Rose Harris, entered into an antenuptial agreement with her which provided in part as follo ws:

WITNESSETH:
Whereas it is the intention of the parties hereto to enter into a marriage contract, which marriage is shortly to be solemnized by and between said parties; and
* sfc * * * * *
Whereas it is the intention of the intended wife to waive, relinquish and bar all her inchoate intestate and other rights 'or interests, either as the wife or widow of the first party, in and to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by the first party,
Now, Therefore, in consideration of said marriage and the covenants of Rose Harris, I. Rubin agrees to make provision in his Last Will and Testament, or otherwise, to provide for his intended wife in the event of his death, as follows:
*******
SECOND. The said I. Rubin does further agree that he shall make adequate provision, in his Last Will and Testament, or otherwise, so that upon the happening of his decease, the intended wife Shall receive for her support and maintenance out of the estate of the said I. Rubin, the sum. of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars per week, for and during the remainder of her natural life. The said sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars shall be payable weekly or as otherwise agreed upon by the intended wife and the Executors of the estate of the said I. Rubin.
THIRD. Rose Harris covenants and agrees that said payment shall be in lieu of any and all her rights in and to the real and personal property of I. Rubin now owned or hereafter acquired, including all and any inchoate intestate rights, and rights as heir of any kind. She hereby releases unto I. Rubin, his heirs, personal representatives and assigns forever all of her interest, rights and claims in and to said property of every kind and nature.
‡ ‡ * £ * $ *
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have 'affixed their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
- [seat]
I. Rubin
[seat]
Rose Habéis
Witness:

At tRe time the agreement was executed by Rose Harris, she had full knowledge of decedent’s personal net worth, which amounted to approximately $200,000.

The decedent and Rose Harris were married on July 22, 1960, at which time they were 67 and 55 years of age, respectively. Following their marriage, the couple resided in Indiana, Pa., until Isadore Rubin’s death in 1965.

Prior to his death, on March 13, 1964, decedent executed his last will and testament. The will provided, in part:

THIRD: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, and wheresoever situated and located, I do hereby give, devise and bequeath as follows:
a. Fifty (60%)' percent to my sons, SAMUEL K. RUBIN, IRVIN RUBIN and NORMAN RUBIN, their heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike.
b. The remaining Fifty (60%) percent of my residuary estate, I do hereby give, devise and bequeath to my sons, SAMUEL K. RUBIN, IRVIN RUBIN and NORMAN RUBIN, in trust, to hold, invest and reinvest the same, to collect the income therefrom and to pay out of the income, or principal amount thereof if necessary, the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollare [sic] per week to my wife, Rose K. Rubin, for her support and maintenance, for and during the remainder of her natural life. This provision is also made in compliance with the hereinabove designated Antenuptial Agreement. Upon the death of my wife, Rose K. Rubin, I give, devise and bequeath the principal of the said trust together with any income remaining therein, unto my sons, Samuel K. Rubin, Irvin Rubin and Norman Rubin, their heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike.
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■EIGHTH: In tbe event my wife, Rose K. Rubin, dies before me, then I give, devise and bequeath my entire estate, real, personal and mixed, and wheresoever situated and located, unto my sons, SAMUEL K. RUBIN, IRVIN RUBIN and NORMAN RUBIN, their heirs and assigns forever, share and share alike.
*******
In Witness Whereof, I, the undersigned Testator above named, have hereunto set my hand, the 13th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixty [sic] (1964).
(S) Isador Rubin [seal]
Isadob Rubin

Subsequent to bis death, decedent’s last will and testament was probated in the Orphans’ Court of Indiana County, Pa., and letters testamentary were issued to the decedent’s three sons (Samuel K. Bubin, Irvin Bubin, and Borman Bubin) on November 9,1965. The decedent’s executors filed a Federal estate tax return on January 30, 1967.

On Schedule M of the estate tax return (Bequests, Etc., to Surviving Spouse (Marital Deduction)) the following property interests were described as allegedly passing to decedent’s surviving spouse :

1. Family exemption_ $1, 000. 00
2. Real estate owned by decedent and his wife as tenants by the entirety_1- 35, 500.00
3. 50 percent of decedent’s residuary estate in trust for his wife pursuant to the antenuptial agreement- 64, 655. 72
Total_101,155. 72

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Estate of Rubin v. Commissioner
57 T.C. 817 (U.S. Tax Court, 1972)

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Bluebook (online)
57 T.C. 817, 1972 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 159, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/estate-of-rubin-v-commissioner-tax-1972.