Estate Planning for Blended Families In Allegheny County

In this article, you can discover…

• The biggest challenges faced by blended families when estate planning.
• The role of prenuptial agreements in blended families’ estate plans.
• How an attorney can help ensure your estate plans are fair to all children.

What Are The Biggest Challenges Blended Families Tend To Face When Estate Planning?

One of the toughest aspects of estate planning for blended families is often simply talking about your estate plans. Family dynamics, hard questions, and the practical challenges of fairly dividing up your estate can make it difficult to begin these conversations.

When I work with blended families, I start by helping couples articulate their expectations, which I can use as a basis to create tailored, formal documents. Remember, the worst thing you can do if you’re in a blended family is to do nothing and make no estate plans.

If you’ve been putting off estate planning, come talk to me. We’ll have helpful, nuanced conversations about where you both are in life, what you want for your respective children, and your hopes for your assets.

Can Prenuptial Agreements Be Helpful When Entering Into A Blended Marriage?

Absolutely. When marrying someone who already has children and/or marrying someone when you have children of your own, prenuptial agreements can help clarify estate expectations well in advance.

For example, your agreement can determine how pre-marital and post-marital assets would be divided between children, what should happen if you later have children with your new spouse, and what should happen to your assets in light of a divorce.

Thinking about these complex matters and agreeing on them before you marry can save considerable stress and friction in the future; at The Law and Mediation Offices of Deborah L. Lesko, P.C., we can help couples draft detailed, precise prenuptial agreements, as well.

Attorney Deborah Lesko is a caring, detail-oriented estate planning lawyer serving Pennsylvania. Since 1983, she’s helped blended families just like yours navigate asset distribution with an eye on their shared goals, fairness, and ensuring estate plans continue to reflect their wishes.

Have questions, or in need of tailored legal guidance? Reach out to The Law and Mediation Offices of Deborah L. Lesko, P.C. for an initial consultation today.

What Does The Process Of Estate Planning Look Like For A Blended Family?

When helping you plan your estate as part of a blended family, the first step I’ll take is to identify all of your assets, determine how they’re titled, and if any are jointly owned. Next, we’ll talk about the children and step-children whom you wish to inherit your assets. This careful review will help us determine what your goals are for your assets and your children.

Next, I’ll help you translate your wishes, expectations, and concerns into tailored, legally binding estate plans which may include a will, trusts, and other key documents, depending on your family’s needs.

Each blended family situation is different, and we’ll take into account where you are as a couple. If you’re a younger couple who wishes to have more children together, your goals will look different from a couple marrying in their 50s or 60s. We’ll also make sure to review your estate plans every few years to ensure everyone’s goals are still being met.

How Can An Estate Lawyer Help Remarried Couples Ensure Both Biological And Step-Children Are Treated Fairly?

Protections can be built into documents to ensure that wills can not be changed once one spouse passes away. For example, I’ve seen many cases where a couple agreed to distribute assets equally between children, and when the wife passes, the husband changes his will to ensure her children receive nothing. But with careful, proactive estate planning, these unfair situations can be anticipated and avoided entirely.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on estate planning for blended families in Pennsylvania, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (412) 276-4200 today.