Why a Will Is Not Always Enough for Blended Families

Estate planning often begins with a simple goal: making sure the people you love are protected. For many families, a standard will can accomplish that. But for blended families - those formed through remarriage, stepchildren or children from prior relationships - a will alone is rarely enough. In fact, relying solely on a will can unintentionally create conflict or lead to outcomes no one intended.

Blended families have unique dynamics and understanding why a will may fall short requires looking at how these documents function in real‑life situations.

The “Everything to My Spouse” Problem

A common estate planning approach is leaving everything to a surviving spouse with the expectation that they will eventually pass assets to the children. In blended families, this assumption can be risky.

When you leave all assets outright to your spouse:

• They legally own those assets;
• They can change their will at any time;
• They may remarry;
• They may prioritize their own biological children.

Even with the best intentions, children from a prior relationship can end up unintentionally disinherited. A will cannot prevent this once assets transfer to the surviving spouse.

Wills Don’t Control Everything

Many people are surprised to learn that a will does not govern all assets. Items such as:

• Retirement accounts;
• Life insurance policies;
• Payable‑on‑death or transfer‑on‑death accounts;
• Jointly owned assets such as bank accounts and property.

These assets will pass according to beneficiary designations or to the joint owner - not via the terms of your will.

If those designations are outdated or inconsistent with your overall plan, your assets may go to someone you didn’t intend. This mismatch is especially common in blended families where accounts were opened before remarriage.

Balancing the Needs of Spouses and Children

Blended families often involve two equally important goals:

• Ensuring a surviving spouse has financial security;
• Preserving inheritances for children from a prior relationship.

A basic will typically forces an “either/or” outcome. It rarely provides the structure needed to support both objectives. Without additional planning tools, even families who get along well today may face tension or conflict later.

Minor Children and Asset Control

When minor children from a previous relationship are involved, a will alone may not provide enough protection. While a simple will can name guardians, it often does not:

• Control how inherited assets are managed;
• Prevent an ex‑partner from indirectly controlling those assets;
• Provide long‑term oversight as children grow.

Trusts within a will are often used to address these issues, offering more control, protection and structure than a standard will can provide.

Unequal Assets and Different Family Histories

Blended families frequently bring together:

• Assets acquired before marriage;
• Separate inheritances;
• Children at different life stages;
• Prior obligations such as child support or alimony.

A simple will tends to treat everything as one pool, which may not reflect what feels fair or intentional. Without more detailed planning, outcomes can feel arbitrary - or spark disputes among family members.

Why Trusts and Coordinated Planning Matter

For blended families, a comprehensive estate plan often includes more than just a simple will. Tools such as trusts within a will, updated beneficiary designations and sometimes prenuptial or postnuptial agreements can help:

• Provide for a surviving spouse;
• Protect inheritances for biological children;
• Reduce conflict and confusion;
• Clearly express your intentions.

The goal isn’t to make things complicated - it’s to make them clear.

Final Thoughts

A will is an essential part of any estate plan, but for blended families, a simple will is rarely enough on its own. What works for a traditional family structure may fall short when relationships and obligations are more complex.

The good news is that with thoughtful planning, blended families can create estate plans that are fair, flexible and protective of everyone involved. The key is recognizing that a “standard” approach may not be sufficient - and taking steps to plan accordingly.

If your family includes children from prior relationships or you’ve recently remarried, now is an ideal time to review your estate plan and ensure it reflects your wishes.

At Sills & Betteridge we have a team of lawyers able to offer advice to you about your circumstances and how best to prepare for and protect your future and the future of your family.

Please call 0800 542 4245 or pop into your local office, full details of which are in the Offices menu on this website.