Getting married again brings a fresh start, but it also means your estate plan may no longer match your life.
At Price Law Firm, we help people through this exact situation. A second marriage changes who’s in your life, how assets are shared, and who should make decisions if you can’t. If your plan hasn’t been reviewed, it might still include your ex, miss your new spouse—or accidentally leave out your children.
What Happens If You Don’t Update?
- Your Wishes May Not Be Followed: In California, a new spouse gets certain rights—but that doesn’t always protect everyone. If you have children from a previous marriage, they could be unintentionally left out. Or worse, your ex may still be listed on your life insurance or retirement accounts.
- Community Property Can Complicate Things: California treats anything earned during the marriage as shared property. That can lead to surprises if your plan doesn’t spell out what’s separate, what’s shared, and who gets what.
What You Can Do Now
Here are four quick fixes that make a big difference:
- Update beneficiary forms on your 401(k), IRA, and life insurance.
- Revise your will or trust to reflect your current spouse and children.
- Change powers of attorney and health documents if your ex is still listed.
- Consider a revocable living trust or prenup to protect your children’s inheritance while supporting your spouse.
We Help Families Get This Right
Remarriage brings people together—but if your plan doesn’t reflect your new life, it can create real problems later. At Price Law Firm, we help blended families create plans that feel right and avoid future conflict. We listen closely, explain your options in plain terms, and make the process feel more manageable. With the right plan in place, you stay in control and protect the people you care about.
Let’s Talk About What’s Changed
If you’ve remarried, don’t wait. A short call can protect the people who matter most. Reach out today to get started. Call our Redlands office at 909-328-7000 or our Riverside office at 951-425-4000.
