Like kayaks and Ikea, wills can turn functional families into bickering messes, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. You’re right to proceed with care
I am happily married to my wife of five years and have a stepdaughter and a daughter. I love both of them and am a little confused about our will. My stepdaughter has her dad, and he has no other children. How do we distribute our assets fairly between our daughters? Is there a fair proportion? Does my daughter receive all my assets prior to my marriage?
I can’t advise you on the material decision – a solicitor with experience preparing wills will be able to tell you what sorts of arrangements people use in blended families.Part of the reason estate planning curdles families so quickly is that people use it to exercise the feelings they weren’t able to express when their loved one was alive. That might be a grievance, or a sense of being neglected – or it might just be the feeling of helplessness that comes after someone we love has died.
One is to avoid surprise. Whatever you decide, it might be good to clue your daughters in now, so there’s no risk of a moment where the will is read and everybody gasps. That way any sense of unfairness can be talked through before it is wrapped up with grief and shock.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sydney is about to get a new IKEA storeA new IKEA store will be opening in Sydney's Northern Beaches but it will be a little smaller than most. 9News
Read more »
'Breaking apart': Prince Harry and Meghan are 'leading separate lives'Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “breaking part”, claims royal commentator Celia Walden, which must be “tricky” for the Duchess of Sussex who wants their relationship to be “front and centre”.
Read more »
MPs back illegal migration bill by 289 votes to 230Illegal migration bill will now go to Lords despite criticism from leading Conservatives
Read more »
Is there a fundamental problem with the definition of long COVID?Australia’s leading long COVID researchers reveal they no longer view the condition as mysterious, undiagnosable and untreatable.
Read more »
Palaszczuk responds to questions about political futureAnnastacia Palaszczuk has responded to questions about her future as Queensland Premier amid a new poll showing a steep decline in her popularity.
Read more »