When it comes to estate planning for blended families in Boston, MA, there are several important considerations that lawyers should keep in mind. Blended families, which consist of spouses with children from previous relationships, often require unique estate planning strategies to ensure that everyone's interests are protected.

One important aspect of estate planning for blended families is determining how assets will be distributed upon the death of one spouse. A common approach is to create a trust that allows the surviving spouse to use the assets during their lifetime, with the remaining assets then passing to the children of the deceased spouse. This ensures that both the surviving spouse and the children are taken care of.

For example, let's say John and Jane are a blended family. John has two children from a previous marriage, and Jane has one child. They want to ensure that their assets are distributed fairly among all three children. Their lawyer may recommend creating a trust that allows Jane to use the assets during her lifetime, but upon her death, the remaining assets will be divided equally among John's two children and Jane's child.

Another consideration in estate planning for blended families is appointing guardians for minor children. In the event that both spouses pass away, it is crucial to have a plan in place for who will take care of the children. Lawyers can help guide their clients through the process of selecting suitable guardians and including this information in their estate planning documents.

For instance, if John and Jane have minor children together, they may want to appoint a guardian who will be responsible for their care in the event that both of them pass away. This can be done by including a provision in their will or creating a separate guardianship document.

It is also important for lawyers to consider the potential complexities of blended family dynamics when crafting estate planning strategies. Communication and transparency are key in ensuring that everyone's expectations and wishes are understood. Lawyers can help facilitate discussions between spouses and their respective children to address any concerns or conflicts that may arise.

References:

1. Massachusetts Bar Association - Estate Planning for Blended Families: https://www.massbar.org/publications/lawyers-journal/2017/july/estate-planning-for-blended-families
2. American Bar Association - Estate Planning for Blended Families: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/estate_planning_for_blended_families/