• Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
    • News and Events
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset & Business Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Planning
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Legacy Planning Services
    • LGBT Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Guardianship & Conservatorship
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Resources
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • FREE Workshops
    • Definitions
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Bath Elder Law
      • Pittsford Elder Law
      • Rochester Elder Law
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law FAQs
      • Estate Planning FAQs
      • Medicaid FAQs
      • Probate FAQs
      • Trusts FAQs
      • Trust Administration FAQs
      • Veterans’ Benefits FAQs
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • FAQs for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • LGBT Estate Planning
    • Family Farm Succession Planning
    • Medicaid Resources
    • Presentations
    • Probate Resources
      • Bath Probate
      • Pittsford Probate
      • Probate Checklist
      • Rochester Probate
    • Professional Articles
    • Review of Our Services
    • Reports
      • Estate Planning Reports
        • Advanced Estate Planning
        • Basic Estate Planning
        • Estate Planning for Niches
        • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
    • Newsletters
  • Communities We Serve
    • Finger Lakes Region
      • Canandaigua
    • Geneseo
    • Livingston County
    • Ontario County
      • Naples
    • Mendon
    • Monroe County
      • Pittsford
      • Rochester
    • Steuben County
      • Bath
      • Corning
    • Wayne County
    • Yates County
  • BLOG
  • Contact Us

WAEstate

Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Connect With Us Today (585) 374-5210

Attend a Free Workshop

Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families

December 31, 2010Estate Planning

At least one third of the children living in the U.S. are expected to live in a blended family before the age of 18, and that number is growing. With this in mind, estate planning for blended families faces a set of unique challenges, and makes working with an estate planning attorney all the more critical.

Some of the tips and facts you may not be aware of when it comes to creating a will or planning an estate if you are a parent with stepchildren:

1. A stepchild has no inheritance rights unless they were legally adopted by the deceased. Many of the laws governing estates specifically refer to the ‘issue’ of the deceased, meaning natural children or children legally adopted by the deceased.

2. Updating estate planning documents when entering into a second marriage is critical. Any significant life change should trigger a review of estate planning documents, particularly in the case of divorce, marriage, birth or adoption of children.

3. Should a will simply divide the estate of the deceased amongst children, without more specifics, stepchildren could be inadvertently omitted. Creating a will can be more complex when there is a stepfamily involved, therefore, forms and DIY estate planning “kits” should be avoided. Speaking of which…

4. Some of the “do-it-yourself” will kits do not take stepchildren into account when preparing the will forms.

Blended families should take special care when preparing estate planning documents, as they face challenges in ensuring their estates are distributed according to their wishes. Working with an estate planning attorney ensures that your estate plan reflects your family’s needs and goals.

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney

Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney

Clients notice Michael Robinson’s unique approach to his estate planning practice the minute they walk through his office doors.
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney

Latest posts by Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)

  • A Look at Common Estate Planning Documents - February 14, 2019
  • Tax Tips after New Year - February 13, 2019
  • Estate Planning Is an Ongoing Process - February 12, 2019

Other Articles You May Find Useful

documents
A Look at Common Estate Planning Documents
process
Estate Planning Is an Ongoing Process
inheritance planning
Inheritance Planning: A Responsibility to Your Loved Ones
estate
Things to Consider When You Are Planning Your Estate
Nongrantor Trusts Can Be Very Useful in Certain Situations
estate dispute
Prevent Estate Disputes Among Siblings

Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube

News & Events

Upcoming Workshops

Several educational workshops coming up around the Finger Lakes you don’t want to miss.   About Latest Posts Michael Robinson, Estate Planning AttorneyClients notice Michael Robinson’s unique approach to his estate planning practice the minute they walk through his office doors. Latest posts by Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney (see... Read more →

Testimonials

Our overall experience was one of thoughtfulness, clarity and comprehensiveness on the part of Michael Robinson, his staff and associates. We attended Michael’s seminar on legacy wealth, and found him to be clear and well-spoken. He touched on all aspects of Estate Planning in which we were interested. Our first of two visits to his office was timely and helpful enough for us to consider develop…
Sharon T.
Over the years we have been to many programs regarding Estate Planning. We were most impressed with Mr. Robinson’s presentation – both in subject matter and explanation in an understandable manner. We have put our “trust” in his competent hands. We were not aware of the complexity and the volume of paperwork generated for this undertaking. We found his staff to be most capable and client orien…
F.T. & L.T.
From the first visit I was welcomed (like family). The office & girls have all their ducks in order! Very friendly! Mr. Robinson explained everything in detail. 100% satisfied. Will pass the word on. Great Law Firm. Thank you so much.
Geraldine P.
Establishing a Family Wealth Trust through the Law Office Of Michael Robinson P.C. has been a positive experience, the staff is congenial, patient, thorough, professional and knowledgeable. We certainly are comfortable and confident with our decision.
Beverly L.
A pleasure as always dealing with the entire staff. Always willing to explain the answers to our questions.Joseph and Julie Ann M. 
Always Helpful When Working With The Firm

Blog Subscribe

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Bath Office

10 West Pulteney Square
Suite 103,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (585) 374-5210
Fax: (585) 485-0394

See Larger Map Get Directions

Pittsford Office

1163 Pittsford-Victor Road, Suite 120 (Powder Mill Office Park)
Pittsford, NY 14534-3817
Phone: (585) 374-5210
Fax: (585) 485-0394

See Larger Map Get Directions

Map

mrobinson_sidbr_map
  • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
  • About The American Academy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
footer-logo

The Law Office of Michael Robinson, P.C.

Attorney Advertisement


© 2019 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.