Case Study: A Blended Family Combines Finances with Purpose

A newly remarried couple plans for investments, FAFSA, beneficiaries, and insurance in Massachusetts.

THE FAMILY STORY

Alex and Jennifer recently married in Massachusetts, blending two households—and two teens. Nearby, Alex’s dad is in assisted living, which adds coordination but isn’t the main project.

They're excited for their new life ahead, but the changes raise questions: What if one child chooses trade school and the other college; how do we make it fair? What if one of us can't work for a stretch; do we have enough insurance? What if our old estate plans and beneficiaries don't reflect what we want?

When they came to Sachetta, we built a plan that lines up estate documents, beneficiaries and accounts, FAFSA timing, education funding rules, and insurance coverage—so decisions are fair, clear, and repeatable.
VP reviewing RSU diversification and donor-advised fund plan.

THE FAMILY PLAN

Here’s what we put in place—practical steps that turn their wishes into a plan they can live with, month after month.

  1. Financial planning & family goals. We wrote it down, simply: equal support for both teens, keep an eye on Dad (and include him on the annual family vacation), and retire in about 10 years. Then we turned that into calm, monthly targets and a clear timeline—so everyone knows what to expect.
  2. Estate setup (Massachusetts-aware). We worked with an estate attorney to refresh wills, POAs, and health-care proxies, and to line up beneficiaries and accounts so money goes where Jennifer and Alex intend—in a tax-aware way—with the Massachusetts $2M estate tax threshold in view.
  3. FAFSA & education funding (equal-contribution). We mapped the FAFSA years and set the same family contribution for each child. Each year, we choose the funding spot—529 or a flexible set-aside—and apply it the same way whether the teens decide on a university or a plumbing trade program.
  4. Insurance for a bigger family. We introduced an insurance professional, reviewed needs for life/disability/umbrella, and requested quotes; beneficiaries will be finalized at issue. Jennifer's and Alex's income and promises are protected.
  5. Investing & taxes (in-house). We set a steady saving rhythm and an emergency reserve that fits the family. Our team handles tax planning and preparation—checking withholding and running annual projections—so the plan and taxes move together.

 

ACTIONS IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS

The first 90 days focused on aligning goals, getting legal/insurance updates moving, and starting a steady money rhythm—without overhauling daily life.

  • Set the equal-dollar education policy, mapped FAFSA years, and turned on starter transfers (529 or flexible set-aside for this year).

  • Collected documents, outlined beneficiary/account updates, and scheduled the estate-attorney meeting (drafts in progress).

  • Insurance agent ran a quick insurance coverage check; requested quotes for life, disability, and umbrella insurance.

  • Set an emergency-reserve target and monthly savings; did an initial withholding review. 

RESULTS

Beneficiaries and accounts lined up with each parent’s wishes. FAFSA years were mapped, and each teen received the same family contribution—for their desired education path. Insurance fit the bigger household. Savings ran on a steady rhythm with an appropriate reserve, and taxes moved with the plan. Each month had a next step, not a scramble.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

If this feels familiar, a calm, coordinated plan can help—paced decisions and clear next steps that fit your family.

  • Align beneficiaries and accounts so money lands where you intend.
  • Set a education policy that fits your family—map FAFSA years, and keep funding on cadence.
  • Right-size life, disability, and umbrella coverage for a bigger household.
  • Keep a steady saving rhythm with withholding and tax projections that move with the plan.
Biotech executive reviewing an education-funding cadence for two children tied to RSU vesting.

 

 

 

You bring your what-ifs.

We'll bring a plan. 

One advisory team, one coordinated plan—planning and taxes under one roof for fewer surprises and steadier decisions.

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Sandwich Generation Financial Planning

Read more about how Sachetta helps families balancing aging parents and  kids manage their complex financial lives and reach their goals.

Sandwich Generation
Biotech executive reviewing 10b5-1 plan and RSU diversification schedule

Behind every financial plan is a real life—full of deadlines, family goals, and important decisions. This story reflects the kinds of challenges our clients bring to us, and how we build calm, clear strategies in response. While this story is fictional, the strategies are true to life.

Disclaimer: Action plans and results are shown for illustrative purposes only, are not indicative of any specific Sachetta client, and will vary based on each client’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Last updated September 10, 2025.