How does your wife get stepped-up basis?  Partnerships are awful ways to do business and LLC's aren't much better, so I avoid clients who want them and I usually only deal with dying partners when there are PTP's.  Something about the partnership having to elect stepped-up basis before the partner can claim it.  Maybe someone here has some insight.  But how do you know your wife is going to outlive you, anyway?  Or your sister?  But then, what do you care?  You'll be dead anyway.