When you have a new partner and children from an earlier relationship, good intentions are not enough. We help you plan so that everyone you care about is provided for, and disputes are less likely.
Start with a free 20-minute discovery call. Meetings across Australia, in person or online.
Blended families are common, and estate planning for them is one of the areas we know best. The questions are rarely about money alone. They are about fairness, security and keeping relationships intact.
A common concern is that leaving everything to a new partner may mean your children from an earlier relationship receive nothing. Leaving everything to your children may leave your partner without a home.
There are practical ways to balance both, and the right choice depends on your family, your assets and how they are owned.
How your property is owned matters
Property held as joint tenants passes automatically to the surviving owner, whatever your will says. Property held as tenants in common forms part of your estate.
After separation or re-partnering, changing how a home is owned can be as important as changing your will.
Common questions about estate planning for blended families
Can I leave my home to my children but let my partner live there?
Yes. A will can give your partner a right to live in the home, or a life interest, with the property passing to your children afterwards.
What are mutual wills?
Wills made by a couple under an agreement that neither will change them. They can provide certainty but are inflexible, so we explain the alternatives first.
Should my partner and I have the same lawyer?
Often that works well. Where your interests differ, separate advice may be better, and we will tell you if we think so.
Do we need a binding financial agreement?
Not always, but an agreement can support your estate plan by recording what each of you brought to the relationship.
Can my stepchildren claim against my estate?
In some states and territories, stepchildren may be eligible to make a family provision claim. Careful planning can reduce that risk.
What happens to my super?
It is paid according to a valid nomination or at the trustee’s discretion. A binding nomination gives you more control.
