Floyd J. Chandler (Retired Military Officer)
Lawrence D. Hasseler
Stephen W. Gebo
Arthur C. Stever III *
David B. Geurtsen
Peter L. Walton
Scott B. Goldie
Gerald J. Ducharme +
Matthew R. Dunn
Addie A. E. Jenne
Krystal A. Rupert
* Also admitted to the bar in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
+ Also admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and California
Effects of a Second Marriage on Estates
Are you in a second marriage or thinking about getting married again? Have you thought about how the rights of your new spouse will have over your property will affect your children by your prior marriage should you die before your new spouse?
The impact on your children will be substantial. They stand to lose as much as $56,000 in property, which will now pass as exempt to your new spouse (including such items as household goods, automobiles, lawn tractor and $15,000 in cash), plus an additional $50,000 or one-third of your net estate, whichever is greater. These rights belong to your new spouse automatically because of the marriage. If you do not desire these results, you must enter into a written, notarized agreement with your spouse or spouse-to-be by which he/she agrees to release these rights. Contact us for further information.
