SPEAK WITH AN ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER IN SHELLHARBOUR

Estate planning for blended families can involve sensitive and sometimes complex decisions. When there are children from prior relationships and a current partner to consider, finding the right balance can be challenging. The goal is often to provide for your spouse while protecting your children’s future.

These circumstances can raise important questions, such as:

• How do we structure our estate plan so it’s equitable for everyone involved?
• What happens if I’ve contributed significantly more than my partner financially?
• How can I reduce the chance of someone contesting my estate?

At Kells, we recognise the emotional and legal complexities that can arise in these situations. We offer strategies that help protect your intentions, maintain peace within your family, and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Our focus is on achieving outcomes that are practical, thoughtful, and designed to reduce conflict later down the line.

A Mutual Will is a legal agreement between two people who commit to keeping their Wills consistent with one another. This contract is typically created at the time the Wills are signed and includes two main conditions:

• Both individuals agree on the terms outlined in their respective Wills.
• Neither can change or cancel their Will without mutual consent.

Once one person passes away, the other is legally bound to honour the terms of the agreement. This helps prevent changes that could disadvantage specific beneficiaries, such as stepchildren or children from earlier relationships.

Mutual Wills can offer a structured way to protect intentions within blended families, but they do come with restrictions. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons with a professional who is experienced in this area to decide if it’s the right fit for your circumstances.