Inheritance when a parent remarries

[TheWonderfulThingAboutTiggers]

So - I completely get it that when a parent remarries, if they die the step parent gets everything... and that may be their choice.

But what is the usual thing if you want to protect your children's inheritance. What stops the step parent living another 20 years and spending it all/giving it to their children?

For me this js about ensuring my money goes to my children and surely that is what the OP means. Personally I don't understand remarrying when you're older - what's the difference apart from a 'do'. That said I have no doubt my DP would find someone quite a quickly and no, I don't trust him to 100% look after the children (terrible as that sounds). So it's all tied up, as soon as I die my share goes to the children.

I also don't think it's vulgar to talk about these things - it's sensible to plan what will happen when you die and inform family - unless of course it's grossly unfair. Why the big secret?

@SwedishEdith
no problem the trust can move over to the next property
it’s probably a bit complicated but it can be done

A friend remarried recently, after living with her partner for years. When either dies the other has a life interest in the property but any cash she has goes to her children. He was happy he could manage on his own but you can always instruct a surviving partner has the income from capital but cant spend that capital. You then also need to specify types of investment that can be made.

Then there is no issue. This thread is about second spouses inheriting everything and then overriding the dead spouses wishes and leaving it all to their own dc

Thank you. Was envisioning unintended consequences where the surviving spouse is left in a house they can't move from.

It's about children assuming that will happen.
It could be my SC writing for all I know. It isn't something we have discussed with them.

@Chewbecca the OP has said that they have read several threads about this happening. So they are asking about ring fencing and people's experiences. No one is assuming anything. It's a discussion the OP has started about something they are wondering. You seem to have taking umbrage and decided it is a thread about bitter dsc. This thread is not all about you

Really interesting re the insurance policy to buy out the DC. Seems like the ideal solution even though obviously lily to be costly policies.

I am aware this thread is not about me, just trying to give some possible perspective on the other side of the story.

My friend's father always told her and her DB that his inheritance would be split between her, her DB and her half-sister from the 2nd marriage.

He and 2nd wife sold their megabucks huge house a few years after he retired and bought a swanky flat. When he died a few months later, a new will had been made leaving everything to wife.

Friend and her DB got nothing. The estate was worth millions.

My DF passed away suddenly. Step mum has taken everything, even the money and sentimental items (of no real value) that my grandparents left my dad. She didn't even meet my grandparents

Us kids have nothing. Not even photos, it's like he never existed and it's so sad to overcome

My husband is much older. When we got together he had huge debts and credit cards from him and his first wife. He had actually given her the house they shared so the children could remain.
Over last 6 years he has paid off all his debts which were accrued by both parties. I accepted as he had less disposable income due to his need to pay off his debts that we would have a small and frugal life . We now have our own children and they have a simple life as we don’t have loads of cash at all !!
If my husband died , at 20 years younger and with young children I wouldn’t be able to sell my house and give DSC half ! It wouldn’t be possible at all . But in my will I will leave 50 percent ( my husbands half ) to be split between his 4 children.
The huge house their mother owns I believe will be split between those 2 .

My half will be split between my 2 . They will have a lot less than their brother and sister.

Just because men remarry and often the woman is younger doesn’t mean the women get a great financial deal always !

Just out of interest. Would any of the children on here left with nothing given anything to their step mother if she was the one left with nothing? Or would they have kept everything, essentially doing exactly the same as what the step mother did?

@NewNameNigel I would of course have shared. Tbf it would have been appropriate for DF to leave house to step mum, we never lived there it was their home, never ours, both contributed. But his possessions and other monies, things from our grandparents, family items and some of his savings yeah I believe she should have shared