What to Consider When Estate Planning with a Blended Family
An Experienced Shreveport Estate Planning Attorney Weighs In
Death is inevitable. Although you don’t want to focus on it when you are enjoying your life now, you owe it to your loved ones to have plans in place when the inevitable occurs. A good place to start is with a will, but you need to know the governing laws for your state. Louisiana has complex estate laws that can quickly leave a family member out of an inheritance if you don’t know what you are doing. If you’re in a blended family, you need to be proactive now to avoid conflict and ensure your loved ones are taken care of. The best solution is to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney in Shreveport.
Tips to Avoid Conflict within Your Blended Family After You Pass
You may have raised your stepchildren as your own and don’t differentiate between them, but Louisiana law does. So, whether you want to include stepchildren or not, you must be the driving force behind communicating your intent. The bottom line is that if you don’t have a plan in place, the distribution of property may not go as you prefer. Protect your spouse, children, and stepchildren with these tips:
- Work with a reliable estate planning attorney. They understand Louisiana’s estate laws and will help you execute an enforceable will reflecting your last wishes. They can also direct you and aid you in establishing appropriate trusts and identifying responsible trustee candidates. An experienced estate planning attorney will walk you through the process and assist you with your intentions regarding community and separate property.
- Consider the differences between community and separate property. Any community property you acquired during your marriage does not automatically transfer to your spouse upon your death. It will transfer to your spouse and children if you don’t establish a will. Also, without proper documentation, any separate property you want to go to your husband or wife will bypass them and go straight to children or grandchildren.
- Avoid common estate planning mistakes. Very often, people assume that they can tell their families what they want when they die, and their wishes will be honored. That isn’t necessarily the case. This is one of the many estate planning mistakes you should avoid, including:
- Dying without a will. Your spouse may not have the rights to your property as you initially wanted, which may create tension between parties.
- Ex-spouses may have a say in how your children’s inheritance is managed. The parent of your minor children and your current spouse may have to deal with conflicts that put your children in the middle of the tussle.
- Your kids may lose out if you leave everything to your spouse. If you precede your spouse in death and you leave everything to them, they could create a new plan and effectively disinherit your children. Your children may then try to make changes to your estate plan. Neither scenario is good.
Don’t Leave Your Family in a Lurch – Contact an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney
Create an estate plan that considers your wishes and protects your family when you enlist the services of David L. White. David and his team are ready to assist you with determining the best course of action for planning your estate and will educate you on the intricacies of Louisiana law. He is known for getting you the support you need and answering all your questions, leaving you with peace of mind for your loved ones. Book a free consultation today!
Contact a qualified Shreveport estate planning attorney to ensure your wishes are respected when you pass away. Call us at 318-747-7023.
