Discussing estate planning with aging parents is an incredibly difficult conversation for all. However, it is an important one that you must have. Everybody needs to be on the same page about important things like end-of-life care, medical decisions, and financial decisions. Start the conversation early while they are still in good health. Hire an experienced attorney at the outset who can help guide you through the conversation. Try to include other family members if you can and be transparent with them. And finally, be patient and empathetic. This is a touchy subject matter. You might need to re-visit the conversation several times. While it’s a hard conversation to have it is an important one and you’ll thank yourself later.
Discussing Estate Planning with Aging Parents: How to Have the Discussion
Have the Conversation When They are in Good Health
The timing of when to start discussing estate planning with aging parents is important. You want to start the conversation early and while they are in good health. If they already have dementia or other health concerns, try to wait for a moment when they are clear-headed. Make plenty of time in your schedule to have the talk and remember to be patient. You might have to revisit the conversation several times.
Hire an Experienced Attorney
Another helpful tip when discussing estate planning with aging parents is to hire an experienced attorney. An attorney can give you ideas about what things you want to discuss. They can guide you through various options. Then, when you and your parents are ready, they can help draw up legal documents for you.
Be Transparent with Other Family Members
When discussing estate planning with aging parents, be transparent with other family members. Try to include your siblings if at all possible. You don’t want it to seem like the conversation is sneaky. As estate planning can be such a touchy subject, it’s best to include your whole family if you can. That way, nobody will feel left out or question where decisions came from later.
Be Patient and Empathetic
Finally, when having a conversation about estate planning with aging parents, remember to be patient. Estate planning can be an overwhelming topic. And if they are looking at future health concerns and discussing the end of life care, it can be very painful. Try to remember that while it’s tough for you to think about the end of their life, it might be even harder for them. Try to be patient and let them go at their own pace. Remember that you might need to revisit the conversation several times.
Discussing estate planning with aging parents is painful and awkward, but also necessary. It can be hard for anybody to confront their mortality. Discussing how their assets will be divided, as well as their end-of-life care can feel very overwhelming for many people. Therefore, pick a time when you have a while to sit down together. Begin the conversation while they are still in good health, and consult an experienced attorney along the way. They can guide you through the conversation and give you an overview of things to discuss. Try to include siblings so that you don’t look like you are being sneaky or secretive. And finally, be patient and empathetic. Try to remember that this conversation is very painful for everybody involved. Get it out of the way early so that you have one less thing to stress about as they age.