National Step Family Day: Protecting Blended Families Through Estate Planning

Today is National Step Family Day, a meaningful reminder that blended families bring both joy and unique estate planning needs and challenges.

When stepchildren, children from prior relationships, and remarriages are involved, the risk of unintentional disinheritance is real, and even failing to clearly document your wishes can spark unnecessary conflict. Still today, state laws often don’t account for the nuances of blended families, and so, without careful planning that accounts for and creates protections for your unique family dynamic, the risk of intentional disinheritance also very much exists.

With proper planning, you can:

·       Protect your spouse while also providing for children and/or stepchildren.

·       Ensure assets/inheritances pass according to your intentions, not default rules or with risk of someone else changing your expectations.

·       Reduce the risk of misunderstandings and family disputes.

·       Use trusts and other strategies to balance the needs of all loved ones.

Blended families deserve estate plans as unique as their stories. Careful planning ensures your legacy is one of clarity and peace of mind rather than leaving things to chance. If you’re part of a blended family and don’t have estate planning in place, or do but don’t know if it really accomplishes your intended goals, let’s schedule a complimentary consult and talk through it!