Indiana Department of State Revenue v. Estate of Parker

GARRARD, Judge.

When C. Huram Parker died on September 12, 1988 he left a number of certificates of deposit issued by Lake City Bank in the names of himself, his wife Ruby, and his daughter, Margaret Hopkins as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Subsequently, Margaret Hopkins executed a disclaimer of any interest in the jointly held certificates.1 See IC 82-38-2-5.

The Inheritance Tax Division eventually petitioned for a redetermination of the amount of Indiana inheritance tax due in the estate on the basis that the purported disclaimer was ineffective. After hearing, the trial court…