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Estate Planning for Blended Families

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Blended families are becoming increasingly common, with many households now consisting of remarried parents, children from multiple marriages, and adopted children. Estate planning for blended families can be a complex process, but with the help of an estate planning attorney, it’s possible to create a plan that ensures your assets are passed on to your loved ones as you intended.

What is Estate Planning for Blended Families?

Estate planning for blended families involves creating a plan, including a will, for the distribution of your assets upon your death. It includes decisions about how to divide your property and financial assets and who will take care of your children if you are no longer able to.

Estate planning also includes decisions about who will manage your finances and make healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so yourself. You can record your wishes for these matters in a living will.

Why Estate Planning is Critical for Blended Families

Some of the benefits of getting an estate plan in place include:

  • Protecting children from previous relationships
  • Ensuring that your assets are distributed as you intend, to whom you intend
  • Avoiding disputes and family conflicts
  • Making sure that your wishes are followed if you become incapacitated
  • Providing financial stability for your family

The Benefits of Working with an Estate Planning Attorney

An estate planning attorney specializes in helping families create and implement estate plans. They have the experience needed to help you navigate the complex legal and financial issues that come with estate planning for blended families. Here are some of the key benefits of working with an estate planning attorney:

  • Customized Solutions – Estate planning attorneys can help you create a plan tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. They will work with you to understand your goals and concerns and help you create a plan that reflects your wishes.
  • Sound Advice – Estate planning attorneys have a deep understanding of the legal and financial aspects of estate planning. They can provide sound advice on how to best protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are followed. They can also advise you on estate tax law, an important component of the estate planning process.
  • Avoiding Probate – Estate planning attorneys can help you create a plan that minimizes the need for probate court. Probate can be a long and costly process, and avoiding it can save your family time and money.
  • Peace of Mind – Estate planning can be complex and emotional. When you work with an estate planning attorney, they can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your plan is in good hands and that your family will be protected.

Steps to Estate Planning for Blended Families

Estate Planning for Blended FamiliesHere are the key steps to estate planning for blended families:

  • Gather Information – The first step in estate planning is to gather all of the relevant information about your assets and liabilities. This includes information about your property, investments, bank accounts, and other assets.
  • Assess Your Goals – The next step is to assess your goals and determine what you want to accomplish with your estate plan. This may include decisions about how you want your assets to be distributed, who you want to take care of your children, and how you want your finances and healthcare managed if you are unable to do so.
  • Create a Plan – Once you’ve gathered all the relevant information and assessed your goals, you can work with an estate planning attorney to create a comprehensive estate plan. This will include important documents such as a last will, power of attorney, and living will.
  • Review and Update – Estate planning is an ongoing process, and it’s best to review and update your plan regularly. Your attorney can help you keep your plan up-to-date and ensure that it reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

The Estate Planning Attorneys at Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC Can Help

Estate planning for blended families can be a complex process, but it’s essential to ensure that your assets are protected and passed on to your loved ones as you intended. By working with an estate litigation attorney, you have peace of mind knowing that your family is protected and that everyone will follow your wishes.

If you are a member of a blended family, you should consider starting estate planning as soon as possible. Our skilled estate planning attorneys have the experience needed to ensure that your family is looked after no matter what happens in the future. Our team is standing by to help. Give us a call today at (214) 833-0100 to schedule a consultation.

The Firm

The attorneys at Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC have over 100 years of combined experience in estate planning, probate, and litigation. We have the knowledge and skills to tackle complex legal issues, such as guardianships, will contests, fiduciary litigation, and trust litigation. We can also handle routine matters, such as estate administration, probating wills, heirship determinations, and other probate court matters.

Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC received a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating possible from a peer-rated legal service. This rating recognizes our hard work, dedication, and the case results we’re able to achieve.

Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC

What Our Clients Say

"I recently had the occasion to hire Mr. Staubus for a hotly contested Guardianship matter. Mr. Staubus brought a rare combination of effectiveness, reasonableness and understanding of the human element involved. Mr. Staubus handled all things in a calm, highly competent, effective and reasonable way. It could not have been as easy as he made it seem. He's a credit to the Bar."

Jody

"Without exception, the legal service, professional attitude, prompt communication of your firm and your legal knowledge is second to none. I only wish I had an attorney here in Boston that could hold a candle to your experience and expertise. Working with you has been a pleasure, but even more, has made me believe that there are knowledgeable attorneys that do care about doing a good job. Thank you Keith! You may not truly understand how much of an impact you are having on peoples lives, but for me, you have helped change my life. As I begin making my dreams come true I can't help but remember none of this would be possible without you."

Joann

"Keith Staubus and Julie Blankenship and their team represented me in a jury trial in the probate court where the ownership of the business which I had worked hard to build was at stake. They successfully fought to preserve my business and my professional reputation, working masterfully to gain the support of the jury. I would not hesitate to hire them again in any bet-the-company litigation.”

Karen

"After my husband's death, I was devastated by having to defend against a vicious dispute over my husband's estate. Julie Blankenship and Keith Staubus made me feel very comfortable in this distressing situation. They were very tough and did an excellent job for me in obtaining a summary judgment in my favor without a full jury trial. I was glad to have them and Diane Walker in my corner to help me achieve an excellent result - I won! If I ever had to go back to probate court, I would hire them again.” - (will and trust construction case)

Flo

"If you need intervention for someone you love but don't know where to turn or who to turn to, Julie Blankenship and Keith Staubus helped me through the most difficult and stressful time in my life with a much loved family member. I now believe that good will triumph over evil. They fought for what was right, and good prevailed." (contested guardianship and will contest)

Janet
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