The first of the two-legged, two-staged, lame-duck session of Congress begins Monday, and it consists of mostly wounded “ducks.” These winged fowl would love nothing more than to duck the huge legislative agenda that awaits them.

If you're planning on dying anytime soon, tax advisers say it would be best to do it before Jan. 1.

The so-called "death tax" returns with a vengeance next year, bringing a 55 percent top tax rate on estates valued at more than $1 million. That compares to the current rate of 0 percent on estates up to $3.5 million.