Welcome back. Today we are going to continue offering tips for blended family members when they start to estate plan. Our estate lawyer in Raleigh can help, as well, but it's also a good idea to research.
Blended Family Tips | Estate Lawyer in Raleigh
- Review your retirement accounts and insurance policies. People often forget to update them when there has been a major change such as a divorce or a new marriage. Make sure the beneficiaries are up-to-date. Even if it is outlined in an estate plan, the person named on the policy or account will supersede anything else, including state laws.
- Consider establishing a trust with your spouse in order to outline what happens to your joint assets. You can set it up so that should one of you die, the other is named beneficiary for the remainder of his or her life, but upon death the trust goes to the children. This can ensure that the surviving partner is taken care of, but the children are not forgotten.
- Do not forget to include health care directives such as naming a health care power of attorney should you become incapacitated. If you want your new spouse to be able to make decisions on your behalf be sure to name that person in your living will. During times of stress, or in emergencies, blended families can have more difficulties because of varying opinions on what should happen. Having it outlined in a will as well as having the conversation about it beforehand can help everyone understand their roles should the unthinkable happen.
- Communication is key when dealing with estate planning matters. Having an honest conversation with your spouse, children, and other involved parties can ease any worries or tension over what will happen when you are gone.
- Reach out to an estate lawyer in Raleigh with experience in estate planning to help with any questions you may have about how to create one that works for your unique situation.
If you missed our previous blog post, be sure to visit back with it. You'll find more tips from our estate lawyer in Raleigh.
Estate Lawyer in Raleigh | Eldreth Law Firm
As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about your current estate plan. Also, feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation with us. Our estate lawyer in Raleigh is here to help you with all your legal matters, whether it be small business, trademarking, copyrighting, or DWI issues.