Mr. Obama is using a speech tomorrow during his stopover in Australia, America's most consistent ally in the post-WWII period, to announce a phased-in increase in America's permanent military presence in Australia, a step-up in joint exercises with Australian naval forces, and increased access of U.S. naval vessels and aircraft to the port at Darwin, which is beyond the reach of Chinese missiles.

WSJ: China Might Have Over-Reached Itself

But it was easy to identify points -- first and foremost, economic growth -- where we have common views, but we need to step up joint actions in order for our wishes to become a reality.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama��s Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy | The White House

To cope with such conditions we are determined, as spelled out in the shared vision, to realize the new U.S. forces realignment plan in accordance with the Security Consultative Committee, or 2-plus-2, joint statement released the other day and to step up bilateral security and defense cooperation in a creative manner.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama holds a Press Conference with Prime Minister Noda of Japan | The White House

But if the exec had changed the titling of the stock after moving and before her husband's death--say, by putting the stock in a joint account with right of survivorship--she would have lost that valuable community property step-up.

FORBES: Investment Guide