IFPAS Workshop: Navigating Financial and Estate Planning for Blended Families by Allen Lim

Based on Singapore Family Trends Report 2025 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development [MSF], there is an increasing trend on divorce rates as well as cross border marriages. These trends gave rise to the increase in number of blended families, and they have consequential effects on financial, estate and retirement planning on a client, her (of his) children and elderly parents. This workshop will highlight the problem areas where financial & estate planning adviser can add professional values to the clients who are in blended family. The workshop will be case study driven.

Workshop Learning Objectives

• This workshop aims to equip financial and estate planning advisers with the knowledge and practical tools to effectively support clients from blended families.
• Address the unique challenges such families face in areas such as asset distribution, financial responsibilities, retirement adequacy, and multi-generational planning.
• Through case studies, participants will learn how to provide tailored, value-added advice that considers the complex dynamics of blended families.

Workshop Outline

• Overview of the Singapore Family Trends Report 2025 (MSF) and why these trends matter for financial and estate planning professionals
• Understanding the financial Planning Challenges for Blended Families
• Estate Planning Complexities
• Adding professional values to the clients who are in blended family

Target Audience

Financial advisers who are increasingly encountering clients from blended family backgrounds due to evolving family structures in Singapore

With the rise in divorce rates, cross-border marriages, and blended families, financial advisers must be prepared to:

• Navigate emotional family dynamics while remaining objective.
• Tailor financial strategies to unique, non-traditional family structures.
• Identify legal and financial risks that may arise in inheritance and caregiving planning.
• Provide solutions that build trust, manage expectations, and prevent future conflict among family members.

SPEAKER’S PROFILE

Mr Allen Lim
IBF Fellow, SME (SCI), Founder, Advisers’ Harbour

Allen is the founder of Advisers’ Harbour, a consultancy firm providing estate planning, asset protection & planned giving research, training & advice to advisers and clients. His professionally relevant to blended families and family business owners. Allen is also the current President of Asia Estate Planning Association (AEPA), an association he co-founded with a few fellow professionals in 2021. During his presidency with AEPA, he led the creation of the Chartered Estate Planning Adviser (CEPA) course which helps advisers to restore their professional purpose and pride in estate planning. His technical expertise is being acknowledged in Singapore and Thailand. Allen is conferred as an IBF Fellow in 2021 for his contribution to the knowledge development of the industry and is honored by the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI) as the college’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) in 2025, he is also an adjunct lecturer to THAIFA (Thai Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) on their FChFP program.