Estate Planning for Blended Families in Hyattsville, MD | Haskell & Dyer
If you’re part of a blended family in Hyattsville, maybe you’ve remarried, have stepchildren, or share children from previous relationships; your estate plan deserves special attention.
These situations are more common than ever, but they also bring unique challenges that many families aren’t prepared for.
I’ve worked with many couples in Prince George’s County who assumed their estate would “just go to the kids” until they realized the law doesn’t always match their wishes.
That’s where I come in.
Let’s talk about how to protect everyone you love, avoid misunderstandings, and make sure your legacy is distributed exactly the way you intend.
Why Blended Families Need a Customized Plan
In Maryland, if you pass away without a will or trust, the state decides how your assets are divided.
That might leave your current spouse with less than expected or unintentionally cut out stepchildren you raised as your own.
Even with a will, if your estate plan doesn’t spell out who gets what, it can lead to disputes between biological children and a surviving spouse.
I’ve seen cases where step-siblings stop speaking for years simply because the plan wasn’t transparent or fair.
What Can Go Wrong?
- Unintended disinheritance: Children from a first marriage may get nothing if everything goes to a surviving spouse who later remarries or rewrites their plan.
- Outdated beneficiaries: Old retirement or life insurance designations can override your will, accidentally leaving assets to a former spouse.
- Home ownership conflicts: If the house is only in one person’s name, the surviving spouse may not inherit it without proper planning.
- Equal vs. fair: Not all children have the exact needs or relationship with the deceased, but that doesn’t mean they should be left guessing.
Estate Planning Tools That Help Blended Families
Here’s how I help Hyattsville families stay protected and avoid unnecessary drama:
✅ Marital Trusts (QTIP Trusts)
This allows a surviving spouse to benefit from assets during their lifetime, while ensuring that the remaining balance goes to your chosen children afterward.
✅ Updated Beneficiary Designations
We review your IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance, and bank accounts to ensure your plan reflects your current family structure—not your life from 10 years ago.
✅ Revocable Living Trusts
This gives you full control over how and when assets are distributed, helping you customize each gift to fit your family’s needs—especially when multiple households are involved.
✅ Letters of Intent
While not legally binding, a heartfelt letter to your family explaining your decisions can reduce hurt feelings and provide clarity that documents alone can’t convey.
The Goal: Family Harmony, Not Family Conflict
I’ve worked with many blended families in Hyattsville who wanted the same thing: to provide for their spouse and their children, without sparking tension or confusion.
The key is communication, clarity, and a legally sound plan that honors both past and present relationships.
If your family looks a little different from the way it did five or ten years ago, your estate plan should reflect that.
Let’s build a plan that protects everyone and keeps your family whole.
👉 Book your consultation online now or call us directly at 301-627-5844.
Matthew J. Dyer, Esq.
Estate Attorney | Haskell & Dyer, Upper Marlboro, MD
