Heine v. Director of New Jersey Division of Taxation

LASSER, P.J.T.C.

In their complaint, plaintiffs, executors of the estate of William A. Heine, Jr., deceased (“decedent”), contest the determination of the Director of the Division of Taxation that the transfer to decedent’s former spouse of a life estate in a testamentary trust is taxable as a transfer intended to take effect at death. The executors did not include the value of the life estate in the inheritance tax return on the ground that, prior to his death, decedent had contractually agreed with his former wife to provide for the life estate in his will.

Plaintiffs also contest the…