Estate Planning and Step-Children

If you have step-children, then you most certainly want your spouse to have a Will. If your spouse dies without a will, then one-half of the community property will go to the step-children, not the surviving spouse. If the assets are held "with right of survivorship" or a death designation, then the surviving spouse can receive the assets. However, to be sure there are no surprises, a Will is a must any time there are step-children so everyone is clear what assets are to go to the surviving spouse and what assets are to go to the step-children.