Among some of the hardest choices a couple needs to make in preparing an estate plan are who should serve in the various roles necessitated by death or disability.  These include agents under health care and financial powers of attorney, trustee under a revocable trust and executor, or personal representative, under a will.  It is also important to choose people or institutions to serve as backups in these roles in case the initial person or institution cannot serve.  In a blended marriage these decisions can become complicated.