Ed and researcher and financial planner Mikel Van Clelve, unpack the hidden emotional dynamics, common misconceptions, legal pitfalls, and the critical conversations couples need before making long-term decisions. Whether you’re part of a blended family or simply connected to one through parents, children, or extended relatives, this episode gives you the clarity, language, and confidence to handle even the most complex family-money situations. Mikel’s work is transforming how blended families navigate money, communication, and legacy-building, so you’ll walk away with practical steps, deeper understanding, and the tools to protect the people you love most.

Key Takeaways:

• What risks do couples face when they avoid discussing inheritance, assets, and fairness?

• How can financial therapy and professional guidance help families create clearer, more equitable plans?

• How can blended families better navigate the emotional and financial complexities of estate planning?

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) – Blended Family Landscape

(03:00) – Estate Planning Foundations

(06:00) – Unintentional Disinheritance Risks

(09:00) – Blended Families Statistics

(12:00) – What Are Emotional Barriers?

(15:00) – Kinship Theory Insight

(18:00) – Fairness Versus Equality

(21:00) – Stepchild Support Dynamics

(24:00) – Family Systems Complexity

(27:00) – Emotional Avoidance Costs

(30:00) – Negotiation Within Marriage

Key Topics Discussed:

Healthy Love and Money, Ed Coambs, Charlotte North Carolina, Financial Therapy, Couples Financial Planning, Financial Intimacy, Money and Relationships, Financial Communication for Couples, Attachment Styles and Money, Financial Conflict Resolution, Therapy-Informed Financial Planning, Financial Trauma Healing, Financial Wellness for Couples, Blended Family Estate Planning, Stepfamily Financial Challenges, Unintentional Disinheritance, Financial Therapy Support, Legacy And Inheritance Planning

Mentions:

Website: https://www.myweb.ttu.edu/mvanclev/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikel-van-cleve

More of Healthy Love & Money:

Redefine your relationship with money and each other: https://www.healthyloveandmoney.com/

Ed’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/healthyloveandmoney/

Contact me at ed@healthyloveandmoney.com

Healthy Love & Money is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.