Predictability and the Estate Tax

The fiscal cliff deal had a surprising result.  It actually solved a problem.  All of the uncertainty surrounding the estate tax over the last few years is finally over.  This article from the New York Times explains it well but, for now, most Americans do not have to worry about an estate tax liability on the federal level.  Of course, some states such as Washington, have their own stand-alone estate tax which we still have to deal with but it will be nice not to have to worry about what Congress is going to do for the foreseeable future.