DHs will - how to handle this situation?!

Poor kids. Thats quite cold, sorry

No. The DH should leave everything equally to each of his own children. OP could use money from the trust for her own child to raise them, but each child should get 1/3, not original children get 25% each and last child gets 50%, that isn't fair.

There's some selfish people in this world

Jesus wept, this is one of the most disgusting things I've heard for a while. You should be ashamed OP.

I think they’d be better with grandparents rather than someone who doesn’t want them

Tell him,

My mum died when i was 10, and my dad (actually my stepdad, but raised me from 3yo) died when I was 12.

My dad was engaged to someone new. We didn't stay with her.

Hope for the best in this life, but plan for the worst!

No, it is not.

Marrying someone with children doesn’t give you PR.

Wow. What a world we live in.

What do you mean , OP , by saying the grandparents would be able to fill the role if both your DH and his ex die . They're far more likely to go first .

And what does your DH's ex say in her own will about guardianship of her children ? Surely , she has a say , it's not up to just your DH .

I'm amazed at all the posters saying for the OP to pretty much lie to her DH. If he knew how she really felt he might choose to leave the marriage. Of course he may not, but if he would his marriage is no longer based on the truth.

Yes, absolutely. There are many salutary examples of different kinds on MN where the deceased expected the new partner to the right thing by their kids and they didn’t.

In this case, the DH needs to split his will between his wife and kids so that his kids have financial provision going forward.

I feel like you’ve missed the point of marriage OP. That was the point at which you signed up to be responsible for his kids.

Whoever wants to do it, I would imagine. If no one then yes, the state would have to step in. I am aware that it also applies to all members of his family. I didn’t state otherwise.

Well... on whom is it incumbent then? We're talking about two orphans who are still minors. Your argument applies to all the adults involved because grandparents, aunts, uncles or family friends aren't "required" to take on parental roles any more than the stepmother. Into the state care system with them then, I suppose. Not her circus, not her monkeys?

This thread is somewhat of a reminder/wake up call to a) write a will and b) ensure that ALL of your children are included appropriately. This father obviously cares about his previous children and it is clear relying on new partners is too messy. You hear about cases so often where the previous children lose out even when the intention was to make provision. Even if your new partner declares they will, make sure to explain to a legal professional so that the will is drafted without any ambiguity.

People sure are making up an awful lot about who's inheriting what and what OP has said.

It would possibly be helpful to read OPs posts. Not just project your own idea of what's gone on.

Yet It isn’t incumbent on her to do it. You may think she’s signed up to raise the children, but that doesn’t mean she actually has. She’s married to someone that is a father, hence she’s a stepmother, but no, she isn’t required to take on a parental role.

So - OP inherits all his assets on the basis that he believes she will take care of his kids. But they have to go and live with their grandparents, or if they’re infirm or dead, into foster care, and OP won’t have to provide for them.

If they were your kids wouldn’t you want to know your DP wasn’t going to step up.

IMO you're being unreasonable. I personally have no money, struggling very much so. But if any child I knew well had both of their parents die, and they were already past 6 years old (being more grown up and able to do things for themselves, not a literal newborn or toddler), I'd take them in without hesitation. I have to say I find it quite shocking as youve married this man, had more children with him, and I assume live with the kids at least part time, but wouldn't extend your humanity to look after them for a few years if your husband god forbid passed away. I couldn't see kids potentially go into care rather than take them in myself.

Would I expect support around me from the grandparents? Absolutely. Would I turn them away and tell my husband I can't be bothered to look after his fairly grown up tweens and just look after "mine"? Absolutely not. I'd be quite upset if I were him

I'm very sorry, @GoofyGoldie, but at the same time very glad that your children will be looked after. Wishing you the very best.

I agree with @BranchGold . Added to that, even your DH were to die, you can deal with the situation in whatever way you see fit: he won't be around to interfere and nobody can make you have his kids.

There's nothing to argue about, it's there in black and white in OPs posts.

You can be their guardian and not look after them full time. I don't think a guardian is expected to adopt children, more help advocate for their best interests, eg living with their grandparents.

I think it would be pretty shitty not to do this for them and your DH if they lost both their parents. Really shitty in fact especially as they are your children's half-siblings

I’m not arguing with some random online

She hasn't said she doesn't want them. She said she doesn't feel capable of taking them on.