Blended Families & Money: Why Your Will and Life Insurance Matter More Than You Think

Let’s be honest, blended families are beautiful, but they can also be complicated. You’ve got more people to love, more moving parts, and (if we’re keeping it real) more opportunities for misunderstandings when it comes to money.

If you’ve remarried, have children from a previous relationship, or are helping raise your partner’s kids, having an up-to-date will and the right life insurance isn’t just a box to tick, it’s how you make sure the people you care about are actually protected when you’re gone.

Why Blended Families Need to Think Ahead

In a traditional family setup, it’s often assumed that everything passes automatically to a spouse or children. But in a blended family, the law might not work the way you think.

• Without a will: Assets might not go to the people you’d want them to.
• Without life insurance: Your loved ones could be left financially exposed, especially if your income supports more than one household.

And let’s face it, money stress is the last thing you’d want them to deal with while grieving.

Suzanne Shaw experienced the heart ache of being left out of any inheritance from her late Father, check out her story here.

Check out our helpful 4 step checklist to get started on your protection journey.

1. Get Your Will Up to Date

Your will is your voice when you’re not here to explain yourself.

• Review regularly: Especially after big life changes like marriage, divorce, or a new baby.
• Be specific: If you want your kids from a first marriage to inherit something in particular, spell it out.
• Name guardians clearly: This removes doubt and ensures the people you trust are looking after your children.
  

Real life example:
Alex remarried and assumed her new husband would “do the right thing” and share the house sale proceeds between her two children and his. But without a will, her assets passed directly to him—and when he later remarried, her children received nothing.

2. Put Life Insurance in Place (Or Check It Still Works for You)

Life insurance isn’t just about paying off debts, it’s about giving your family breathing room.

• Think about everyone who depends on you financially, children, partner, even ageing parents.
• Choose a cover amount that can replace lost income, cover childcare, or keep up with the mortgage.
• Update your policy to make sure the right people are listed as beneficiaries, especially if your family setup has changed.

Real life example:
When Jamie passed unexpectedly, his life insurance still listed his ex-wife as the beneficiary. His new partner, who was raising their child, didn’t see a penny. Updating a beneficiary form would have changed everything.

3. Have the Conversation

Yes, it’s awkward but awkward is better than leaving people confused and hurt later.

• Sit down with your partner and outline your wishes.
• Be open about what you want for all the children in your life.
• If it’s starting to get complicated you can get more advice from a solicitor who understands blended family dynamics.

Real life example:
Priya avoided talking about her will because she didn’t want to cause tension between her kids and stepkids. When she died without one, the fallout caused years of family conflict, something she’d always tried to avoid.

4. Review Regularly

Life changes. So should your plans.

• Annually, give your will and policy a quick once-over.
• After any major change, marriage, separation, birth, property purchase, update them immediately.

Real life example:
Emma and Mark updated their will when they married, but never after buying a bigger house and having another baby. The outdated document didn’t reflect their true wishes, leaving the new baby’s share of the inheritance unclear.

To get started on your protection journey head to here to speak with our friends at Lifesearch* to discuss your life insurance options or visit our friends at Octopus Legacy* here to create your will.

*indicates a tracked link, which tells our partner that we sent you and may in the future result in a payment or benefit to our site.