And even if you get relief one year, the levy can go up again the next.

FORBES: More States Want To Tax Your Estate

"You can't get a machine to pick one strawberry and not the one next to it, " he said.

WSJ: Tight Market for Farmhands

One caveat: If you plan to get a new home or car loan in the next six months, refrain from opening any new accounts so that your score will be as high as possible.

WSJ: Getting Going: The New Credit-Card Rules