Estate Planning for
Blended- and Step-Families
Blended- and step-families usually result when a couple marry and one or both of them have children from a previous marriage or relationship. This problem can become more complicated if there has been more than one previous marriage.
The children
Most of the complications for blended- and step-families concern the children. In most situations, one’s child is either a natural child or an adopted child. But in this type of family there are usually step-children involved. Often adoption of the child by one’s spouse is not available because the other natural parent is still alive.
Questions arise concerning what the children are entitled to inherit, who will take care of the child if something happens to the natural parent, what obligations the step-parent has for the child, etc.
The “other” adult(s)
Other issues and questions arise concerning the previous significant other from the previous marriage or relationship. Just how are they involved, if at all?
Each other
Finally, it has been my experience that one approaches a second (or third or fourth) marriage with increasing fear and trepidation. What measures should be taken to prevent the mistakes of the past from happening again?
At Cutchin Law Firm, we are definitely not marriage counselors, but we are experienced at solving the many different legal problems which occur with Estate Planning of blended and step families.