Estate of Simpson v. Commissioner

1994 T.C. Memo. 259, 67 T.C.M. 3062, 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 261
United States Tax Court·Decided June 7, 1994·No. Docket No. 4397-92·Unpublished·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

ESTATE OF R. JACK SIMPSON, DECEASED, KENNETH A. WHITTAKER, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, Petitioner v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent
Estate of Simpson v. Commissioner
Docket No. 4397-92
United States Tax Court
T.C. Memo 1994-259; 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 261; 67 T.C.M. (CCH) 3062;
June 7, 1994, Filed
*261 For petitioner: David M. Presnick and Richard O. Jones.
For respondent: Jane T. Dickinson.
CLAPP

CLAPP

MEMORANDUM FINDINGS OF FACT AND OPINION

CLAPP, Judge: Respondent determined a deficiency in petitioner's estate tax in the amount of $ 536,140 and an addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1) in the amount of $ 52,228.

After concessions, the issues for decision are:

(1) Whether petitioner is entitled to a marital deduction in the amount of $ 504,499. We hold that it is not.

(2) Whether petitioner is entitled to a charitable deduction in the amount of $ 1,145,318. We hold that it is not.

(3) Whether petitioner is liable for an addition to tax under section 6651(a)(1). We hold that it is.

All section references are to the Internal Revenue Code in effect at the date of decedent's death, and all Rule references are to the Tax Court Rules of Practice and Procedure, unless otherwise indicated.

FINDINGS OF FACT

We incorporate by reference the stipulation of facts and attached exhibits.

Petitioner is the Estate of R. Jack Simpson (decedent). Decedent was a resident of Cocoa, Brevard County, Florida, when he died on June 3, 1987. Pursuant to decedent's last will and testament, *262 First American Bank and Trust (First American), subsequently known as Comerica Trust Company of Florida, N.A. (Comerica), was appointed personal representative of the estate of decedent, with letters of administration being issued by the Circuit Court for Brevard County, Florida (circuit court), on December 18, 1987. At the time the petition was filed, Comerica's principal place of business was in Palm Beach, Florida. Comerica subsequently was replaced by Kenneth A. Whittaker (Whittaker), of Melbourne, Florida, as successor personal representative pursuant to the July 2, 1992, order of the circuit court.

Decedent had been engaged in the real estate business, buying and developing property, and buying mortgages and loaning money. Over a 15-year period, decedent was advised in the legal aspects of his real estate business by John Minot (Minot), a Florida attorney. Minot has practiced real estate and probate law in Florida for over 30 years.

Decedent was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1985. Decedent married Hazel Catechis (Mrs. Simpson or surviving spouse) on March 22, 1986. Two days before their marriage, decedent and the then Ms. Catechis entered into an antenuptial agreement*263 prepared by Minot. The parties to the agreement waived all statutory rights to and interests in each other's property. Decedent and Ms. Catechis executed three originals of the agreement, one for each party thereto, and one for Minot, which remained in his possession. The agreement did not preclude either spouse from making lifetime or testamentary gifts or provisions in favor of the other.

Minot and decedent developed an estate plan for decedent through consultations with people more experienced in estate planning, including a senior vice president and trust officer from First American, John C. Patten (Patten). Decedent had no issue and several brothers and sisters whom he did not feel deserved to share in his estate. Decedent wished to benefit certain organizations, provide for the education of certain nieces and nephews, provide for a memorial to a brother killed in World War II, and make minimal provisions for his spouse.

Once decedent's estate plan was developed, Lester Lintz (Lintz), a Florida attorney specializing in real estate and estate planning and administration, drafted decedent's last will and testament and revocable trust agreement. The draft documents were *264 circulated to Patten, who was aware of the antenuptial agreement. Lintz did not know of the antenuptial agreement at the time he prepared the will and trust agreement. On October 27, 1986, decedent created a revocable trust and executed a last will and testament. Decedent named Minot as personal representative of his estate and First American as alternate or successor. Decedent acted as the sole trustee of the trust until his death, after which Minot and First American were named as cotrustees.

Under the provisions of decedent's will, any of his property that had not been transferred into the trust during his lifetime would, after payment of debts, taxes, and specific devises, "pour over" to fund the trust at his death. Both the will and the trust agreement contained a provision devising decedent's residence to his spouse, if surviving. The trust agreement provided for distributions equal to 1 percent of the balance of the remaining trust estate to the following five organizations: The Salvation Army, the Fleet Reserve Association at Cocoa, Florida, the Cocoa Lions Club, the Free and Accepted Masons at St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Arabic Ancient Order of the Nobles of the*265 Mystic Shrine -- Azan Temple. There was no requirement that the beneficiaries be qualified charities for purposes of a deduction under section 2055; however, respondent conceded that all named organizations were so qualified. The trust agreement also established educational trusts for nieces, nephews, and grandchildren of Mrs. Simpson, established a memorial fund for decedent's brother, and provided for the establishment of a residuary trust. The property of the residuary trust was to be held by decedent's trustees during the lifetime of his spouse and, pursuant to the terms of the trust, decedent's surviving spouse was to receive the lesser of $ 30,000 per year (payable in monthly installments of $ 2,500), or an annual income from the residuary trust. The trustees were empowered to make distributions to the surviving spouse during each year in excess of $ 30,000 from the income or principal of the trust, as the trustees determined to be necessary or desirable for her proper health, maintenance, and support. Upon the death of decedent's spouse, the trustees

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Estate of Simpson v. Commissioner, 1994 T.C. Memo. 259, 67 T.C.M. 3062, 1994 Tax Ct. Memo LEXIS 261 (tax 1994).

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