Estate Planning For Blended Families In Canada

Blended families are the new normal.

Estate planning for blended families in canada.

The number of blended families is growing steadily in canada. Common pitfalls in estate planning for blended families 1 the traditional concept of the nuclear family i e mother father and one or more children of a single relationship has evolved over the years. Blended families are families where one or both spouses or common law partners have been in a previous relationship and have children from that relationship. The failure to engage in such planning increases the likelihood that someone will.

In most blended family situations each partner wants to ensure that when they die their children as well as their new love will be treated fairly and will receive as. Successful blended family estate planning is a matter of setting and communicating goals learning the available legal strategies implement ing the chosen documents and setting appropriate expec tations for the client. A relative of mine remarried in her 50s. We explain the details in this article.

At least that s been the case since the 2011 canadian census was released which found that 12 6 of all families in the country are blended. Both her and her new spouse were widowed and had adult children. It presents a particular challenge for wills where everything could pass to a spouse who subsequently disinherits children. Estate planning for blended families can be a particular challenge for inexperienced amateurs and even professionals because the standard clauses of a will may have unintended consequences.

Blended families are those where the partners are not the biological parents of all of the children. A blended family cries out for pro active estate planning. The modern family is more complicated and may consist of parents who are in second or third relationships. A real example of a blended family.

It is estimated that more than half of u s. By judy martel when it comes to estate planning for a blended family the concept of yours mine and ours can complicate the process to the point that family dynamics become permanently strained. One in 10 children live in stepfamilies according to the most recent canadian census held in 2011 the first time the census has counted stepfamilies. With guidance from experienced counsel the various goals of each family can be met by crafting and implementing estate.

This is resolved using lifetime interest trusts.