Blended families are increasingly common. Many people with children from previous relationships fall in love and get married after splitting from their previous partner. They may decide to raise their children together with their new spouse as one large, blended family. Such scenarios often work out well for everyone, but issues may eventually arise that can shake the foundations of a blended family unit.
For example, one of the parents may eventually die. The passing of a parent may permanently alter the dynamics of a family. In a blended family scenario, disputes about what happens after their passing may forever change the family unit.
The children of a deceased parent may find themselves at odds with their stepparent. Stepchildren who have lost a stepparent may end up feeling disenfranchised or hurt by the terms of an estate plan or the actions of their step-siblings. Unmet expectations about inheritance may cause damage in a blended family after a parent dies.
Stepchildren usually do not inherit
Quite a few people never establish any written estate plans. When individuals die without wills, state law determines what happens with their property. In such situations, stepchildren generally do not inherit from the estate.
Instead, the assets owned by the deceased individual pass to their spouse and their children. The stepchildren may ultimately inherit some of a stepparent’s property when their parent dies. However, they do not receive property directly from the estate if a stepparent dies without a will.
Stepparents who want to provide support for their stepchildren can make arrangements to do exactly that. They can draft wills or fund trusts that include their stepchildren as beneficiaries. They can also legally adopt their stepchildren in some cases, which then grants their stepchildren the right of inheritance.
People creating blended families often need to consider how the expectation of receiving an inheritance could complicate family dynamics in the future. They may need to enact careful plans and have uncomfortable discussions with their loved ones to reduce the risk of conflict later.
Learning more about Florida’s intestate succession rules may help people with blended families make the right estate planning choices. Stepparents might need to make special plans to protect their stepchildren. They may also need to discuss their legacy wishes with the entire family to limit the likelihood of probate conflict harming family dynamics after their passing.
