While not ideal for estate planning, this is quite common and can often be used without problems, except in many second-marriage situations or large estates that may suffer adversetax consequences.
In that same time frame there was a 42% increase in the recording of federal tax liens against taxpayers with an attendant adverse impact on their credit rating.
And independent economists estimate that for us to not extend it right now -- to not extend payroll tax cut, not extend unemployment insurance -- would have a significant, adverse impact on our economy, right at a time when we're supposed to be growing the economy.