How Wills & Trusts Protect Inheritances in Second Marriages

Second marriages often come with deep bonds—and complex family trees. You may have children from a previous relationship, new stepchildren, shared property with your current spouse, or personal assets you want to leave to specific individuals. Without clear legal planning, this can create conflict, misunderstanding, or even litigation after you’re gone.

For Southborough residents in a second marriage or blended family, creating a thoughtful estate plan isn’t just about documents—it’s about protecting relationships, preserving your intentions, and avoiding confusion when it matters most. At Kristine Romano Law, we help families create legally sound, compassionate plans that protect both spouses and children through comprehensive Wills & Trusts.

Why Director Norman Jewison’s Estate Sent His Children to Court

When Hollywood director Norman Jewison passed away at age 97 in 2024, his $30 million estate made headlines—not just for its size, but for the bitter legal battle that followed. His children from a prior marriage alleged they were cut off from their father and ultimately disinherited due to undue influence by his second wife. Though the case was settled out of court, it underscores a reality we often see right here in Massachusetts: second marriages can complicate estate plans in painful and preventable ways.

Blended Families Face Unique Estate Planning Challenges

Massachusetts inheritance laws without a Will in place, known as intestacy laws, prioritize spouses. If the decedent or spouse has any children with a different partner, the spouse is entitled to the first $100,000 of the estate plus half of the remainder, and what remains after that will go to the children. 

Even a basic Will may not fully protect everyone involved. For instance, if you leave everything to your spouse with the expectation they’ll later pass assets to your children, there's no legal obligation they follow through—especially if relationships change or a new Will is created. The result? Just like in the Jewison case, children may be unintentionally disinherited, and spouses may face uncertainty. The key to avoiding this is a carefully structured estate plan that reflects your unique family dynamic. Comprehensive estate planning is especially important for Southborough LGBTQ+ families.

How Trusts Provide Clarity and Control

Wills & Trusts combined are often the most effective way to create peace of mind in second marriages. Unlike a simple Will, a Trust can spell out detailed instructions that balance care for your spouse and protection for your children.

A Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust, for example, allows you to:

• Provide your surviving spouse with income for life
• Ensure that remaining assets go to your children after your spouse passes
• Avoid probate and maintain privacy
• Reduce the risk of will contests and family disputes

At our estate planning law firm, we’ve helped Southborough-area clients build customized Wills & Trusts that reflect their exact wishes. Whether you’re starting over after divorce or creating a shared future in a second marriage, Trusts offer the flexibility and control you need.

Update Your Beneficiary Designations

Another common estate planning mistake for blended families? Forgetting to update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts. These assets pass directly to the named individual, even if your will or trust says otherwise.

We often see clients who unintentionally leave significant funds to an ex-spouse simply because they didn’t update paperwork. As part of your estate planning, we’ll review all beneficiary designations to ensure they match your current wishes—and your trust, if applicable.

Communication Is Just as Important as Legal Documents

Estate planning isn’t only about documents—it’s about communication. Many disputes arise not from bad intentions, but from assumptions. Your children might expect to inherit the family home. Your spouse may believe they’ll have full financial control. Without open conversations and transparent documentation, those assumptions can turn into conflict.

Our estate planning law firm encourages and helps facilitate these important discussions.  By combining legal experience with compassionate guidance, we help you navigate emotionally charged decisions with clarity and care.  Learn more about how to have open financial and estate discussions with your family.

When to Revisit Your Plan

Estate planning isn’t one-and-done—especially in blended families. We recommend reviewing your Southborough Wills & Trusts every 3–5 years or after major life events:

• Marriage or remarriage
  
• Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
  
• Divorce or death of a spouse
  
• Significant changes in assets or health

Speak with Kristine Romano Law Now to Prevent Heartache Later

What happened in the Jewison family doesn’t have to happen in yours. With a personalized estate plan, you can:

• Ensure your children are not unintentionally disinherited
• Protect your spouse’s financial future
• Minimize family disputes and legal fees
• Preserve your legacy with confidence

At Kristine Romano Law, we help Southborough-area families find peace of mind through thoughtful Wills & Trusts.  Contact our office today to take the first step toward a plan that protects everyone you love.

References: CBC News (April 1, 2025) Director Norman Jewison's wife cut him off from family, coerced him to change $30M will, lawsuits claimed and Marriage.com (Oct 12, 2023) 5 Tips to Avoid Inheritance Issues in Second Marriages