If you are planning a second marriage you are likely a bit older and a bit wiser than the first time around. Probably, you wish to avoid past mistakes. Estate Planning for a Second Marriage allows you to apply those hard learned lessons. We are happy to walk you through your options in person, feel free to call us! Meanwhile, here is a short introduction to some typical estate issues that arise when Estate Planning for a Second Marriage.
Spousal Elective Share: If you have not addressed these rights in your Prenuptial Agreement, each state gives a spouse the right to claim a portion of their deceased spouse’s estate.
Intestacy, Having No will at Death: If you have no plan, then your assets pass under the State’s plan. Also, without a Will, there are no protective trusts. Further, your spouse or your children may receive more than you intend, leaving your wishes disregarded. A Will allows you to craft a plan that reflects your real desires. The Intestacy Rules do not take your wishes into consideration.
Estate Planning: Marriage allows spouses to work as a team. Married couples may use Estate Planning methods to shelter assets for the surviving spouse. Further, a married couple can use their status to create protection for children that would not otherwise exist. Estate Planning can protect your surviving spouse, beneficiaries, and heirs; plan for illness or disability; preserve your estate; avoid probate; avoid disputes; making your will “Will Contest proof.” Let’s talk!
Will: Without a Will, the state decides where your assets pass at death. The State provides no protective trusts and disregards your wishes.
Contracts To Will: Married couples can legally bind each other to follow a Will’s terms. Such as, the first spouse has a right to live in the family home, which then passes to the second spouse’s children. See Contracts To Will.
Funeral Arrangements: Disputes erupt between children from first marriages and new spouses regarding funeral arrangements and the location of your burial. Naming the right person or persons to control these decisions can avoid conflict. Create a Funeral Directive.
Financial Power of Attorney:. If you are unable to make decisions for yourself because of some accident or medical issue, who makes your financial decisions? This person may be your new spouse, a child or two people working as Co-Agents. Now that you have remarried, it is time to assess who your trust with this responsibility. Create a Financial Power of Attorney with clear direction on gift powers.
Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will: If you are not competent to make your medical decisions, who decides which doctor treats you or the withdrawal of medical care? Remarriage requires reviewing this power. Your Living Will and Medical Power of Attorney controls who visits you when you are ill as well as who serves as your doctor; select a person who can work well with all family members.
Revocable Trust: For married couples, a Revocable Living Trust has many purposes. To learn more, follow this link to Revocable Trust in depth. But, they are especially useful for those in second marriages who wish to have children from the first marriage involved in overseeing their assets. A Revocable Trust allows you to keep your assets separate from your spouse’s. Further, your retain the right to manage and spend your assets as you wish, but you can allow your child the right to administer the trust independently.
Irrevocable Trust: An Irrevocable Trust is an excellent tool to keep assets you owned before the marriage separated from your new spouse’s assets. Irrevocable Trusts address many different problems.
If you have any questions about Estate Planning for Second Marriages or any other estate planning topics, please contact us to schedule a free consultation. For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. We’ve seen it all, and this experience allows us to explain complex estate law and planning techniques clearly and concisely. We make it easy for you to understand Estate Planning so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
Peter Klenk is the founding member of Klenk Law, a seven attorney boutique estate planning law firm. We serve clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota and Florida. Peter Klenk received his Masters in Taxation LL.M. from NYU Law School and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He served his country in the Navy JAGC during Desert Storm. Easy to talk to, feel free to call Peter for an appointment. We will make the process as easy as possible!
"I worked for Peter Klenk for 4 wonderful years. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone at the firm. Everyone truly cares about their clients and has a strong sense of responsibility to get things done right. I would highly recommend Klenk Law!"
Flora Novick
I saw four lawyers and was told by all of them; I should just forget contesting my mother's will. I knew what happened, but it is very hard to prove undue influence. I contacted the Law Offices of Peter L. Klenk & Associates. Attorney Amanda DiChello took my case. They were very honest and upfront about what would be involved trying to prove what I knew was true. Attorney DiChello may be young but she is extremely knowledgeable and skilled. She listened and understood what I conveyed to her. She knew exactly what information to use and crafted an outstanding interrogatory and many powerful depositions. Attorney DiChello understood the various emotional feelings this case created for my family and me; she was always there for us with a kind and encouraging word. We went to trial. The amount of work which she and her Paralegal did for the trial was incredible. They both knew my case inside and out! Attorney DiChello's powerful interrogative and thinking skills produced a positive outcome. Attorney DiChello did what other seasoned lawyers said was impossible!
We recently used Peter's firm to update our wills and trusts. We found he and his staff to be well-informed, professional and highly efficient. And equally valuable, Peter explains the law in terms that a layperson can readily understand.
Peter is excellent. I had a very complicated situation with my parents' estate planning and potential Medicaid needs. Peter was very knowledgeable in estate planning matters, able to define the best solution for the situation. Additionally, he was congenial and able to communicate effectively to my senior citizen parents the benefits of estate planning. He earned my trust, and more importantly, my parents' trust in a 45 mins consultation period. Highly recommend Peter. He is very easy to work with.
Klenk Law is an exceptional practice. Their fine lawyers and staff team up to produce excellent results for their clients. They excel at explaining the often cryptic laws and policies that govern estate planning right down to the complexities of the various "trust" frameworks. Peter himself manages each client together with his great team, and he has a rare quality to be both a walking encyclopedia of planning minutia and also one of the most likable lawyers I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. He is truly generous in intellect and in his personal approach to getting the "big picture" for complex family structures. I trust him implicitly to help me make the right choices for the future. In short, Klenk Law is a gem of a firm.
Tremendous firm with bright, kind and tenacious people. Great representation for our family.
Let us put our expertise to work for you.
Free consultation within 24 hours.