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Estate Planning For Blended Families Throughout Bergen, Passaic And Hudson Counties

Blended families face unique estate distribution challenges. You must balance the needs and expectations of a new spouse with those of children from previous relationships.

At Giro & Associates LLC, we understand these intricacies and help families in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties navigate them. Our firm is known for its compassionate approach, extensive experience and commitment to personalized service. We can tailor our services to the specific needs of your blended family.

Why Is Estate Planning Different For Second Marriages And Blended Families?

In these situations, special considerations may be necessary to help ensure fair treatment for all family members, per your wishes.

Unlike first marriages, where assets typically pass directly to the surviving spouse, blended families must account for children from previous relationships.

What Should You Include In An Estate Plan For Your Blended Family?

Estate planning with a blended family involves creating or updating several components:

  • Wills and trusts: To reflect your current family structure and asset distribution intentions, helping prevent unintended inheritances.
  • Beneficiary designations: To account for your current wishes regarding who will benefit from life insurance policies, retirement accounts and other financial instruments.
  • Guardianship designations: To help ensure all minor children in your blended family will be cared for by the appropriate individuals.
  • Health care directives: To create medical care instructions and make certain only someone part of your current life can make your healthcare decisions.

These are just a few examples to consider. Create or adjust additional estate planning tools to further protect your final wishes.

How Can Estate Assets Be Divided In A Blended Family?

Dividing assets among family members involves careful consideration to ensure fairness. In New Jersey, estate assets are typically distributed based on your will and other estate planning documents. If you have no plan, the state will decide who will receive your assets.

All estate documents should clearly outline specific distributions for your surviving spouse, biological children and stepchildren. Trusts can be advantageous in making sure each beneficiary receives the inheritance you want them to have.

Let Us Protect What You Care About Most

The peace of mind a sound estate plan offers is irreplaceable, especially for blended families. Our experienced attorneys can guide you confidently through the process. Contact us at 201-771-9436 in Newark to arrange a meeting. We also have offices in River Edge and Suffern, New York.