Thinking about the future after you are gone is one of the hardest topics to think about, let alone talk about. You may have your estate plan already in place, but we find so many situations where a family has no idea what their relatives wishes are once they’re gone. We are here to help you talk to your family about your estate plan.
If something were to happen to you, does your family know what they need to do? Do they know how to access your estate plan documents? Do they know who your attorney is if they need help? The holidays are the perfect time to get this discussion out of the way. Whether gathering virtually or in person, make sure to take time to have these important conversations. Having your estate plan done is of course an important, if not the most important, piece of the puzzle, however don’t forget you need to have this conversation with whoever you are counting on to take care of your family and assets once that plan needs to be enacted. What to Tell Your Family About Your Estate Plan… 1) Location of documents- let your family know where your estate plan documents are. If there is one person who you think would be a first responder in the situation where these documents may be needed, make sure that person knows where the documents are. If they are in a safe, make sure whoever that first responder is knows how to get in. If you are able to show them the actual documents then do so, for example if they are in a binder or folder, get them out so they can see what they look like. 2) Who would be in charge- the people that you have named to be in charge of your financial and health decisions should know your wishes for them to have these responsibilities. The last thing you would want is for them to already be in a tough situation with learning something happened to you, only to be more shocked if they have to make hard decisions on your behalf. This is especially important if you have minor children. Guardians should know their responsibilities and if you deem appropriate, your kids should know as well who would be taking care of them if something happens to you. 3) Who your attorney is- even if your family knows where your estate plan documents are, it is a good idea to make sure they know who your attorney is. This way they know who to turn to if they need guidance on any aspects of your plan and can seek help if there are any issues. 4) Specific wishes- if you have any stipulations in your estate plan that are extremely important to you and you don’t want any confusion, express those to your family. Maybe there is a family heirloom you want to go to a specific relative, or you want a certain amount of money donated to a charity. Let the executors of your estate know these but also let any family members know that may be affected. How to Talk to Your Family About Your Estate Plan… While there isn’t one way to start a tough conversation, there are some ways to make it the most beneficial.
All families are unique and there’s no certain plan that will work for every family’s situation when it comes to discussing end of life issues. Ultimately you need to decide what to disclose to your family and when, but our main advice is to not wait. While it can be triggering to think about the end of your life, and for your loved ones to think about losing you, this conversation should provide peace knowing they will be taken care of when you are gone and that there is a plan for a time when they may feel lost. While the year is wrapping up, don’t forget to look at our estate planning tips for the end of the year. As always we are here to help! The holidays and the end of the year are always a busy time but we are here for you! If you have questions don’t hesitate to contact us. Sign up for our newsletter to receive business updates and estate planning tips right to your inbox!Like us on Facebook to keep up with new blog posts and daily tips!Disclaimer: This article is intended to serve as a general summary of the issues outlined therein. While this article may include general guidance, it is not intended as, nor is a substitute for, qualified legal advice. Your review or receipt of this article by Lexern Law Offices, Ltd. (the “LLG”) or any of its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the LLG. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors of the article and does not reflect the opinion of the LLG. |