Blended Families and the Surviving Spouse who Tries to Circumvent the Estate Plan
This presentation will explore real‑world scenarios in which surviving spouses in blended families sought to re‑write estate plans after a spouse’s death—often by exploiting discretionary authority, exerting pressure on individual trustees, or challenging fiduciary decisions. The presentation will examine common warning signs in planning and administration that create opportunities for conflict, including ambiguous distribution standards, poorly defined trustee powers, and inadequate checks and balances.
The session will also highlight proactive strategies to reduce risk, such as thoughtful trustee selection, the use of corporate fiduciaries to provide neutrality and continuity, clear articulation of intent, and mechanisms to protect remainder beneficiaries. The goal is to equip advisors with practical tools to help clients preserve the integrity of their estate plans, minimize family conflict, and avoid costly, emotionally charged litigation.
More information to follow when we get closer to the date.
