Meeting the health, financial and legal challenges of stepfamilies in later life: White coats, green dollars, and special teacups

Longtime stepfamilies and later‐life re‐couplers with adult children from previous relationships are a growing demographic. Legal default assumptions are designed for younger first‐time families, not for aging families or stepfamilies. However, for stepcouples who plan, and who document their wishes, the legal landscape allows for later‐life stepcouples to exercise choice and create individualized alternatives. This article addresses normal challenges created by stepfamily structure that impact later‐life “blended families” in three areas: health and end‐of‐life decision making, later‐life financial management, and inheritance plans that consider both the current partner and children of previous relationships. Throughout, this article addresses the importance of using a stepfamily lens, not a first‐time family lens.