Issue, in estate planning terms, is the word used to describe a person's children or grandchildren either through birth or adoption. The term covers lineal descendents and can be used to broadly describe family generations present and to come. The importance of issue in estate planning is mainly seen in wording of wills and testaments, particularly if there are step-children involved who have or have not been legally adopted. In order to include or exclude them in issue they should be formally named as beneficiaries in whatever means desired by the testator. Without specifically naming stepchildren as part of issue, they are often excluded when they were not intended to be excluded. Issue is another example of how important wording is and the proper use of legal terminology in any legal documents.