The heirs typically use the death benefit for paying federal estate taxes and other estate - settlement expenses once both the individuals covered in the policy pass away. (insuranceopedia.com)
You will pay Federal Estate Taxes upon your death, depending on the site of your estate. (lifeinsurancehub.org)
For transfers at death, the marital deduction applies only to property included in the gross estate for federal estate tax purposes. (definitions.uslegal.com)