{"id":1884,"date":"2020-12-31T21:42:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T21:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/?p=1884"},"modified":"2024-10-04T21:16:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T21:16:37","slug":"will-with-step-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/blog\/will-with-step-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Making a Will With Step-Children Involved"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Blended families are the norm these days, and in most cases they\u2019re as complicated as traditional families, if not more so. Unless you previously adopted your spouse\u2019s children, they\u2019re considered step-children, and as a result they have no legal right to your assets. So, if you want to give money or property to step-kids, you need to create a will<\/a> that says so. Keeping reading for tips on creating a will when there are step-children involved.<\/p>\n

How to Include Step-Children in a Will<\/h2>\n

Many individuals have close relationships with their step-children and want to ensure they\u2019re taken care of for years to come. If you plan to pass assets on to your step-child after you\u2019re gone, it\u2019s crucial that you include them in your will. Otherwise, step-children will have no legal claim on your property or money. You can opt to leave your step-children specific gifts or arrange for them to receive a percentage of your estate.<\/p>\n

For best results, avoid using terms like issue, dependents, or heirs when crafting your will. This is especially important if you have other natural children. To avoid legal ambiguity and confusion, refer to each child and step-child by name in your will and clearly state what you intend for them to inherit.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you can name step-children as beneficiaries in living trusts, special needs trusts, and life insurance policies. To minimize conflicts down the line, make an effort to talk to your spouse and any natural children about your plans to will money or property to a step-child. Doing this ensures that everyone knows what to expect while preventing relationship issues and complications.<\/p>\n

How to Prevent Step-Children From Getting Your Assets<\/h2>\n

While some blended families are harmonious, others face many of the same challenges and conflicts as more traditional households. With that in mind, it\u2019s no surprise that many step-parents opt not to include step-children in their wills. The good news is that you aren\u2019t under any legal obligation to gift money or assets to step-children. Moreover, you don\u2019t have to take steps to keep step-children out of your will. Because they aren\u2019t your legal heirs, step-children will not be awarded any of your assets without your consent.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that step-children can still receive property via your spouse or legal partner. If you\u2019re married at the time of your death, your spouse will be at liberty to distribute your assets to anyone they choose, including step-children. They can also opt to withhold property from your natural children and give it to step-children if you don\u2019t have a will to convey your wishes. If you\u2019re concerned about what your spouse may do with your assets after death, creating a will or trust is essential to protecting your family\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

One way to avoid the possibility of step-children inheriting is to set up a marital bypass trust. A legal document, this trust enables a spouse or partner to use property until their death. However, since they aren\u2019t the rightful owner of the property, they won\u2019t be able to pass it on to other friends or family members. Upon the spouse\u2019s death, the property will pass to the next beneficiary of your choice.<\/p>\n

Avoiding Legal Challenges to Your Will<\/h2>\n

Estate planning is complex, and legal challenges are all too common. To avoid miscommunications and confusion, you may want to write a Letter of Wishes to accompany your will. This document reinforces your choices regarding distribution of property while explaining your reasoning. Additionally, a Letter of Wishes can prevent family members from legally challenging your will upon your death.<\/p>\n

Just as no two families are the same, every client has distinct needs when it comes to estate planning. Serving Arizona residents, JacksonWhite\u2019s estate planning team specializes in helping a wide range of individuals create wills and trusts that protect their families when they\u2019re no longer around. Whether you have concerns about incorporating step-children into your will or dealing with another issue, you can trust our experts to be in your corner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Call our Arizona Estate Planning team at (480)467-4325<\/a> to discuss your case today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Blended families are the norm these days, and in most cases they\u2019re as complicated as traditional families, if not more so. Unless you previously adopted your spouse\u2019s children, they\u2019re considered step-children, and as a result they have no legal right to your assets. So, if you want to give money or property to step-kids, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":104,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wills"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaking a Will With Step-Children Involved - Arizona Estate Planning Attorney - JacksonWhite Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unless you legally adopted your spouse\u2019s children, they\u2019re considered step-children, and have no legal right to your assets. 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