Wills & Estate Planning for Blended Families

In a blended family, a standard will can produce outcomes nobody intended. Without careful planning, your estate may pass entirely to your current spouse — leaving children from a previous relationship with nothing.

We advise clients in second marriages, civil partnerships, and blended family situations on how to protect everyone they care about — using life interest trusts, discretionary trusts, and carefully drafted wills. Chester-based, acting across Cheshire, North Wales and England and Wales.

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The risks of a standard will in a blended family

Many people in blended families assume that leaving everything to their current spouse or partner will protect everyone. In practice, this can leave children from a previous relationship with no entitlement — and no legal recourse.

The "all to spouse" problem

If you leave everything to your current spouse and they later remarry or change their will, your children from a previous relationship may receive nothing from your estate.

The family home

If you own your home as joint tenants with your current spouse, it passes to them automatically on your death — regardless of what your will says. Children from a previous relationship have no claim.

Intestacy risks

If you die without a will, the intestacy rules may produce an outcome that protects your current spouse at the expense of your children — or vice versa.

Inheritance Act claims

Children who feel inadequately provided for can bring a claim against your estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. A properly drafted will reduces this risk.

How we help blended families

Life interest trusts

A life interest trust allows your current spouse to live in your home and receive income from your estate during their lifetime — while ensuring the capital passes to your children on their death. This protects both your spouse and your children.

Tenants in common

If you own your home as joint tenants, we advise on severing the joint tenancy so that your share passes under your will — rather than automatically to your spouse. This is a critical step for many blended families.

Discretionary trusts

A discretionary trust gives trustees flexibility to provide for your spouse and children according to their needs — without locking in a fixed outcome that may not suit future circumstances.

Specific gifts and legacies

We advise on making specific gifts to children from a previous relationship — ensuring they receive something from your estate regardless of what happens to the residue.

Mirror wills and mutual wills

We advise on whether mirror wills or mutual wills are appropriate for your situation — and on the risks and benefits of each approach in a blended family context.

The team advising blended families

Laura Kirton

Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified

Blended Family Estate Planning

Laura regularly advises clients in second marriages and blended families on how to structure their wills to protect all the people they care about. Known for her calm, sensitive approach, she helps clients navigate what can be a complex and emotionally charged area of planning.

Darren Steele

Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member

Trust Structures

Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in trust structures for blended families — including life interest trusts, discretionary trusts, and protective property trusts.

David Stahler

Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive

Estate Planning

David is our first point of contact for clients in blended families enquiring about estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive subject.

Nikolina Vukovic

Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates

Wills & Estate Administration

Nikolina supports clients through estate administration in blended family situations — including estates where competing claims from different family members need to be carefully managed.