Question: When Godfrey died in 2016, his assets were valued as follows:
Asset Date of death valuation Valuation six months later
Stocks $2,220,000 $2,180,000
Bonds 4,600,000 4,620,000
Home 800,000 780,000
Total $7,620,000 $7,580,000
The executor sold the stock two months after the decedent's death for $2,200,000. The bonds were sold seven months after the decedent's death for $4,630,000. What valuation should be used for the gross estate?
Prepare a 350- to 700-word document that addresses and includes the amount of taxable estate for each of the following:
• Address the question at the end of the scenario.
• If Godfrey came to you before his death and told you that he had a spouse and two children under the age of 18, what kind of estate plan would you suggest for him?
• What if Godfrey had no spouse but had two children under the age of 18?
• What if Godfrey had no spouse or children, but had a favorite niece?