NJ.com:  Today Your Legal Corner provides information on second marriages and estate planning.

Losing a parent is devastating. It is said this experience begins the next chapter in our life and that of the surviving parent.

When the surviving parent finds a new special someone, it can create mixed emotions for the family. On the one hand, you are happy to see dad or mom finally getting on with life, experiencing a second bite of the apple, with a fresh taste for life.

At the same time, you're suspicious of this new friend. Acceptance of the relationship brings a feeling of disloyalty to the deceased parent. All of these emotions are common and normal.

With second marriages and estate planning, staying actively engaged with your parent will minimize incidents of fraud or undue influence by third parties.

Everyone has the ability to protect their own assets through proper estate planning.