New York Family Law — Estate Planning Integration with Divorce and Inheritance

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Blended families face unique estate planning challenges. Without careful planning, assets may pass to a surviving spouse's children from a previous relationship rather than your own biological children. We create customized plans that protect all family members while honoring your specific wishes.

• Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trusts for blended families
• Protecting children from prior relationships
• Coordinating beneficiary designations with family structure
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreement coordination
• Guardianship planning for minor children

Divorce and Estate Planning

Divorce requires an immediate review of your estate plan. In New York, divorce automatically revokes certain beneficiary designations and will provisions relating to a former spouse, but not all. Failing to update your estate plan after divorce can have unintended consequences.

• Update your will to remove former spouse as beneficiary
• Change beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance
• Revoke powers of attorney granted to former spouse
• Update healthcare proxy designations
• Review and update trust documents

Estate Planning After Remarriage

Remarriage creates new estate planning considerations, especially when children from prior relationships are involved. We help you balance your obligations to your new spouse with your desire to provide for your children from a previous marriage.

Planning for Minor Children

If you have minor children, your estate plan must address who will care for them and manage their inheritance if both parents die. We help you name guardians, create trusts for minor beneficiaries, and ensure your children are protected no matter what happens.