The “Brady Bunch” Dilemma: Protecting Your Kids if You Pass First

You have met and married the new love of your life. Naturally, you want everyone in your new family to love each other as much as you love your spouse. However, it does not always work out that way.

A common concern in blended families is how to leave support for a spouse while simultaneously protecting your children should you pass away first. This is often referred to as the “Brady Bunch” dilemma.

Using a Trust as Your Primary Option

To address this, the primary option is a trust. You and your spouse can create a joint trust or separate trusts depending on your specific estate planning needs.

Flexible Trust Options

There are a variety of trust options available to help you navigate your family dynamics:

• Revocable or Irrevocable: You can choose trusts that are revocable, or those that become irrevocable upon the passing of the first spouse.

• Protected Distributions: A trust allows you to create protected distributions for both your spouse and your children for decades to come.

Every family is different with unique needs. The best way to find the right estate planning options for your blended family is to have a conversation with your attorney.