Families today are more diverse than ever, and blended families—where one or both partners have children from previous relationships—are becoming increasingly common. While these families create new opportunities for love and connection, they also introduce unique financial and legal challenges when it comes to estate planning. Without proper planning, loved ones may face unnecessary disputes, financial insecurity, and unintended disinheritance.

When you pass away or can’t make decisions anymore, many of your things, like your house or money, might have to go through something called probate. Probate is like a court process where a judge helps figure out who gets what. But probate can take a long time, cost a lot, and everyone can see what’s going on, which is why most people want to avoid probate.

Last week, we talked about how probate works. Now, let’s look at why it can be a hassle for your family and how to help them avoid it.