Our parents were the ones providing support and guidance when we were young. They helped us become responsible adults who plan for the future. Now may be the right time to make sure your parents have done the same. Specifically, it could be time to ask them about their estate planning.
It can be an uncomfortable conversation at first. Nobody likes to talk to their parents about their mortality. But if your parents are in their 50s, 60s or older, it is better for all of you to feel a bit awkward for a few minutes than for you to find out you have no idea what they would have wanted regarding their medical care, living arrangements, or the disposition of their assets when the time comes.
Tips for a successful estate planning discussion with Mom and Dad
If you have not discussed estate planning with your parents yet, here are some guidelines to consider.
- Schedule the conversation in advance so that they will not feel caught off guard. Include your siblings, if possible, to keep the entire burden of helping your parents from falling onto your shoulders. It also gets everybody involved and less likely to feel like they are being left out of important family matters.
- If they have not set up an estate plan yet, ask them if they have an estate planning attorney in mind. If not, ask if they would like help finding one in the Pittsburgh area.
- Most of all, find out if they would like your help with estate planning, and make it clear they do not have to go through the process alone.
For more specific information about how to handle helping get your parents’ estate plans set up, consult an estate planning law firm.
