What's happening?
Blended families often face particular estate planning challenges, such as wanting to provide for a current spouse or partner while also ensuring children from an earlier relationship are not overlooked. Without careful planning, these competing interests can lead to disputes or an outcome that does not reflect what anyone intended.
What could it mean for me?
- A simple will leaving everything to a surviving spouse may unintentionally exclude children from an earlier relationship
- Family provision claims are more common in blended family situations where a person feels overlooked
- Structures such as life interests or testamentary trusts may help balance competing interests
- Jointly held assets may pass outside your will regardless of what it says
What are my options?
- Consider structures that provide for a current partner while preserving something for children from an earlier relationship
- Discuss the use of a life interest or testamentary trust where appropriate
- Review how jointly owned assets interact with your overall estate plan
- Communicate your intentions clearly to reduce the risk of future disputes
What happens next?
- We discuss your family structure and the interests you want to balance
- We advise on options such as life interests, trusts or specific gifts
- A tailored will and any supporting documents are prepared
- We review how other assets, such as super and jointly held property, fit with the plan
How can MGE Lawyers help?
We work with blended families to design an estate plan that reflects their specific wishes, aiming to reduce the risk of future disputes between a surviving partner and children.
We explain the practical effect of different structures in plain English, so you can make an informed decision about what suits your family.