In a Couples Will Plan, select Other to name your spouse, children, and stepchildren manually. List your spouse as primary and children as backup beneficiaries, assigning percentages totaling 100%. Family Information remains unchanged.
You can name your spouse and all of your children, including stepchildren, as beneficiaries in a Couples Will Plan. Choose Other in the Distributions section, then add each beneficiary by name.
Why do I need to choose “Other”?
The default options distribute assets to your spouse and then to your “children” or “descendants.” These options only include the children listed in your Family Information section as belonging biologically or legally to you. To include stepchildren that are listed as someone else's in the Family section, you’ll need to name each beneficiary manually.
How do I add my spouse first and then all of my children as beneficiaries?
- In the Distributions section, find the question “How would you and [spouse’s name] like to distribute the rest of your assets?” (link directly to question here). Select Other.
- On the next page, enter your spouse’s name as your first beneficiary and enter 100%. Do this if you’d like your spouse to receive your assets first.
- When asked “Would you like to designate a backup beneficiary?”, select Yes so you can list your children manually by name (or whoever else you'd like to list). Backup beneficiaries receive your assets only if all of your primary beneficiaries (i.e., your spouse) are unavailable.
- Add each child by name and enter the percentage each should receive.
- Repeat these steps for your spouse’s choices. You’ll be asked who your spouse would like to name as their primary and backup beneficiaries.
- Primary beneficiary: If you’d like your spouse’s assets to go to you first, select your own name and enter 100%.
- Backup beneficiaries: Select Yes to adding a backup beneficiary, then add each child and their percentage, just as you did for your own Will.
How do I split assets evenly between three children?
Enter 33.33%, 33.33%, and 33.34%. The percentages must total 100%.
What will my documents say after I make these changes?
Your documents will list each beneficiary by name pro rata. They will no longer say that everything passes to your descendants per stirpes.
Will my Family Information section change?
No. The Family Information section is designed to list only your biological or legally adopted children. Naming stepchildren as beneficiaries in the Distributions section is how you include them in your Will as recipients of your estate.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Member Support team for help!