Worried About Talking to Your Parents About Estate Planning?

Many people put off creating an estate plan. A lot of these individuals are afraid to confront their own mortality, while others simply think that they have more pressing matters to tend to first. There’s also a lot of people who simply don’t understand estate planning and how it can be beneficial to them and their loved ones.

This can be nerve-wracking for family members and loved ones who may be concerned about their loved one becoming incapacitated or passing away without an estate plan. If you find yourself having these concerns for your parents, then you may want to find a way to bring up the topic of estate planning.

Tips for Talking About Estate Planning with Your Parents

Bringing up estate planning can be a challenging endeavor. However, there are things that you can do to make the conversation a little easier. Here are some of them:

• Be prepared for multiple talks: This probably isn’t going to be a one-time conversation. So, be prepared to ease into it and discuss it over the course of multiple talks.

• Inform family members: You certainly don’t want to look like you’re coercing your parents to do anything. To avoid that perception, it’s best to tell other family members that you plan on talking to your parents about estate planning. They might even be willing to help.

• Focus on priorities: There are probably certain things that are important to your parents. Focus your conversation on protecting and furthering those interests.

• Be empathetic: Discussing estate planning means discussing death. This is hard for most people. Be understanding of the challenges that your parents are facing.

• Take notes: Your parents might have a hard time articulating what they want out of an estate plan. By taking notes, you can revisit topics that are important to them and help lay a framework for what could be their estate plan.

Help Your Parents Find Assistance

These informal conversations are a great primer for parents who need an estate plan. But there’ll come a time when formal action will be needed. When your parents are ready to memorialize their estate plan in writing, then you can assist them is seeking out the legal assistance they need.