What is a QTIP trust?
A QTIP trust (Qualified Terminable Interest Property trust) is an irrevocable trust providing surviving spouses with lifetime income while ensuring trust principal ultimately passes to beneficiaries designated by the deceased spouse, typically children from first marriages. QTIP trusts qualify for the unlimited marital deduction even if the principal does not pass to the surviving spouse, making them ideal for blended-family estate planning. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's enhanced $15 million exemption, remarried couples can fund substantial QTIP trusts that protect biological children's inheritances while providing adequate surviving-spouse security. Traditional 401k accounts coordinate with QTIP trusts for comprehensive blended family retirement asset planning.
























