Wills, Probate

Trusts, Estate Planning

210 South Beach Street, Suite 202
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 257-3332

Personal Representative

My husband and I never made the time to have a Will prepared, but after his mother passed with all her affairs in perfect order, we knew we needed to do the same for our children. We went to see Heidi, who came highly recommended, to create our Wills. Heidi guided us through the process and educated us on the importance of other legal documents. She gave us the information we needed to help us make decisions that were best for our family, and she did it in a very professional and comfortable atmosphere. We were very appreciative of the time she took to address all of our questions and concerns. Having our Wills, Trust, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy and other documents in place has given us great peace of mind. We can confidently recommend Heidi Webb, with all of her expertise, compassion and professionalism for your estate planning needs.

~ Dawn H

My wife, Patsy, and I were recommended to call Heidi for Estate Planning by some of our neighbors in Margaritaville located in Daytona Beach. We worked with Heidi to develop a complete estate plan with a trust, wills, power of attorney, etc. We have a large family and this covered all of our personal assets and our small business. Heidi has a wealth of experience & knowledge, is pleasant and easy to work with. We have the utmost confidence in Heidi and asked her to be the Executor of our Estate. We recommend her to anyone who has estate planning needs

~ Gary B

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Navigating Estate Planning for Blended Families

Estate planning takes on additional layers when it involves blended families due to the increased number of individuals considered, particularly when children from previous relationships are involved.

Defining a Blended Family

Blended families typically consist of married couples with children from previous marriages or relationships. This grouping may include families with stepchildren, half-siblings, and other extended family members living together. These family setups are increasingly prevalent, with more than 16 percent of children in the U.S. residing in blended-family homes.

Optimal Estate Planning Approaches for Blended Families

Tailoring estate planning to fit the unique dynamics of a blended family is crucial. Issues such as the size of inheritances, the appointment of Personal Representatives, and maintaining fairness can complicate estate planning, but addressing these matters is essential. Here are some of the most effective estate planning strategies for blended families:

  • Family Trusts: This form of testamentary trust consolidates all assets into a single trust upon the death of one spouse. These trusts can allow assets to be available to the surviving spouse, with provisions to pass any remaining assets to the children after the spouse’s death. This approach facilitates inclusive planning that considers all children in the family.
  • Outright Ownership: In this simpler method, all assets are directly transferred to the surviving spouse, with no trust set up for the children. This strategy depends heavily on mutual trust between spouses to fairly manage and distribute the assets to the children.
  • Immediate Bequests: Directly bequeathing assets to each child through the will is another strategy. Although this can be a delicate issue to discuss, it ensures that children directly receive intended inheritances.

The Importance of Updating Estate Plans After Remarriage

It is imperative to review and possibly revise your estate plan following a divorce or remarriage, especially where children are concerned. This review is the only way to ensure that your children’s needs are met and that your intentions are honored, including specifics related to healthcare and beneficiaries. Sometimes, this might mean revoking agreements made with a former spouse to reflect your current family structure.

Heidi S. Webb, Attorney at Law serves clients in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, and beyond with matters of Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Small Business Law. Contact her today to schedule a free consultation. Visit her page on Facebook, or see what her clients are saying to learn more about Heidi. 

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