Getting Remarried? Let’s Talk About Your Estate Plan
Remarried? Here Are 4 Steps to Update Your Estate Plan
Marriage is a fresh start—and if you're entering into it again, this new chapter deserves a plan that reflects your life today.
Whether you're blending families or simply updating your legal and financial commitments, remarriage can bring complexity to your estate plan. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here’s a simple 4-step guide to help you navigate estate planning after remarriage.
Step 1: Update Your Beneficiaries
Your Will is not the only document that decides where your assets go.
Your life insurance policies, retirement accounts, pensions, and some bank accounts have beneficiary forms that override your Will. If your ex-spouse is still listed or you haven’t added your new spouse, that needs to be addressed.
Take a few minutes to review each account. Want a deeper dive on why this matters? See our blog on avoiding probate in Illinois.
Step 2: Revisit or Create Your Will and Trust
Your Will or Trust should reflect your new family structure. That includes your spouse, any children from a previous marriage, and potentially stepchildren you’d like to include.
Without updates, you risk leaving your loved ones without clear guidance—and possibly creating unintended legal conflict.
A Revocable Living Trust can help balance the needs of your spouse and children while protecting your wishes.
Step 3: Redefine Your Decision-Makers
Who has the legal authority to make decisions if you're unable to?
In blended families, this can get tricky. Now is the time to review your Power of Attorney for finances and your Health Care Proxy.
You might want your new spouse to take on those roles—or you may want to designate someone else. Either way, this step ensures your medical and financial wishes are honored. For more insight, read our blog on Power of Attorney in Illinois.
Step 4: Avoid the DIY Trap
We understand the appeal of using AI or online templates. But estate planning is personal, and generic documents can create costly mistakes.
If you’ve already drafted something using a tool like ChatGPT, we highly recommend scheduling a legal review. Learn why in our blog on AI and estate plans.
A professional estate plan protects the people you love and prevents confusion down the road.
Let’s Make Your Next Chapter Secure
At Russo Law Offices, we help individuals and couples protect what matters most. If you’re remarried or planning to remarry, now is the right time to revisit your plan and make sure it reflects your life today.
Schedule a consultation with us to get started. We’ll walk you through each step, carefully, and with your future in mind.
Get Started Today: Download our FREE Guide to Writing a Will to learn more about your options and get started with confidence.
*The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Each individual's situation is unique, and the laws regarding estate planning can vary by jurisdiction. It is essential to consult with a qualified estate planning attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and to receive personalized legal advice. Russo Law Offices is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information contained in this post.