Estate planners and probate lawyers are anxiously awaiting Congress’s next move with regard to the estate tax. As many folks know, there is no estate tax in 2010. Heirs to billion dollar fortunes are making out like bandits if their benefactor dies in 2010 – kind of weird thing to read, isn’t it? But it’s true. Famous New York Yankees owner and billionaire George Steinbrenner died this year, and there have been others. One thought that’s been bandied about is that Congress could make the new estate tax retroactive to 2010. If this doesn’t put a rush on a probate I don’t know what will. Here’s a good update on the estate tax, where it stands now, and where it could go. Keep your local estate planner’s number handy. You may need it soon.