BLENDED FAMILIES AND SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGES
Is Estate Planning Different for Blended Families?
Usually when there are children of each spouse, and even shared children, it is best to have an Estate Plan with a separate Revocable Living Trust for each spouse.
How Does This Change the Estate Plan?
Even if the spouses want to treat all children, regardless of who the legal parent is, the same, it is still best to have separate trusts so any inheritance - from either spouse's family - would pass to the correct child or children. That way grandparents can still pass things to their children (you) without worrying that their assets could pass to someone other than their grandchild. This makes things simpler in the long run.
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What Else Do I Need?
Melanie provides the following documents to every client, at no additional charge:
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Durable Power of Attorney - This details who will make your financial decisions if you are incapacitated.
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Medical Power of Attorney - This details who will make your medical decisions if you are incapacitated.
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Living Will - This specifies your wishes as to your medical care if you are in a permanent vegetative state with no expectation of regaining cognitive function.