Taking ballroom dancing lessons helped Claire cope with the recent death of her husband of 40 years. Her instructor provided her with the companionship she was missing. Claire, with a new sense of self-esteem, soon fell head-over-heels in love. Her children were shocked when their mother announced she had married her instructor.
But the real shock came a few months later when Claire died: Her children learned their mother had placed all her assets in joint ownership with her new husband. Even though Claire's will left everything to her children, they were completely disinherited.
With second and third marriages becoming more and more common, this problem of how to provide for your current spouse without disinheriting your children (especially those from a previous marriage) has become even more complicated and widespread.
There are solutions. For example, a trust can provide for your surviving spouse while he or she is living; then, upon your spouse's death, the remaining assets will go to your children. If you have more than enough assets to provide for your spouse, some could be carved out separately for your children and/or grandchildren. Instead of leaving the assets outright to your children (either at your death, or upon the death of your spouse), consider using one or more trusts. A trust will give you added assurance: It can protect your children's inheritances from creditors, irresponsible spending and even from your children's ex-spouses if they should divorce.
If you can afford it, you may want to give your children some of their inheritance now so you see the results of your gifts. That can be very rewarding.
Exactly how this problem is resolved for you will depend on your situation and the size of your estate. It takes careful planning with an experienced attorney who can be objective and look at your situation from all kinds of angles and possibilities. Call us and set up a free consultation to discuss your situation. We can help you make sure your kids are not unintentionally disinherited.
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