The Blended Family Estate Planning Trap

<p>A remarried person may intend to leave everything to a surviving spouse and eventually divide the remaining estate among both spouses’ children. But once property passes outright to the survivor, the survivor may be able to spend it, change beneficiaries, remarry or leave everything to a different family branch. Jon Sanchez explains the blended-family estate planning trap, how asset ownership and beneficiary designations can override family intentions, and the strategies couples can use to protect a surviving spouse while preserving an inheritance for their children. He also reviews Nevada’s default inheritance rules, family-home planning, spouse-benefit trusts and the warning signs that should trigger an immediate estate plan review.</p>