> An estate worth $5M, which is then taxed at 40%, That's not how the estate tax works. The first $5 million (or so) is not taxed. > where you're expected to

> An estate worth $5M, which is then taxed at 40%, That's not how the estate tax works. The first $5 million (or so) is not taxed. > where you're expected to pay for your own education, health care, and retirement You can pay for your kids' education directly, no estate tax involved. You can put significant amount of money into 529 savings accounts for your kids and your grandkids, effectively increasing estate tax limitations if (like most upper class) education is a place where you will expend significant resources.