Blog

In today's ever-evolving family structures, it's not uncommon to see blended families, where parents from previous relationships come together and create a new living environment for their children. While the dynamics of these families can be heart-warming, they can also present complex legal challenges, particularly when it comes to inheritance and estate planning. Davina McCall’s popular TV series "My Mum, Your Dad" highlights how common it is for blended families to come together, and whilst it may seem easy, it doesn’t look in detail at the potential issues which can arise in the future for blended families, including the vital importance of having a Will in place, especially when children from other relationships are involved.

Although the number of people making a Will is rising, many of them forget to keep it up to date. Your Will does not expire, but your wishes and circumstances might change, therefore it is important to remember to review and update it every five years, or beforehand if you have experienced a major life change – e.g. a marriage, divorce, a new birth, or a death in your family.

As we celebrate Pride Month and recognise the significant progress made towards LGBTQ+ rights, it is crucial to acknowledge the legal safeguards that unmarried same-sex couples should prioritise, especially when it comes to protecting their loved ones when they are no longer here. While society has come a long way in recognising the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, there are still areas where protection and planning are essential. One such area is estate planning, specifically the creation of a Will.

As parents, we all want to protect and care for our children, and when they are younger it is generally acknowledged that parents have a right, and a responsibility, to do so. The law gives children more rights and responsibilities as they grow up, and when a child turns 16 they are effectively considered an adult and in many situations are deemed to be able to make decisions independently. If however your child is unable to make decisions for themselves, perhaps due to a lifelong disability, catastrophic injury or declining health, an application can be made to the Court for someone to be appointed as Guardian.