The topic of whether or not your parents have done any estate planning can be a difficult one to bring up. That said, proper estate planning can be important for everyone in the family.
While you may be hesitant to bring it up, doing so can be beneficial. The more you know about where your parents stand with estate planning, the less stress there will be for everyone.
Be prepared
Before talking with your parent or parents about any estate planning they may or may not have done, you need to get prepared. Having some questions in mind before starting the talk with them can help you guide the conversation, and get more meaningful answers.
Be open and understanding
When talking to your parents about their estate planning, it is important to be open and understanding throughout the conversation. It can be a difficult topic to bring up, and one or both of your parents may have strong feelings about it. By approaching the topic with the right attitude you can help everyone to feel more comfortable while discussing what their estate plans are. It is also important to understand that some may have an emotional reaction simply to the notion of estate planning in general. Being mindful of this can lead to more positive outcomes.
Estate planning can be important for the security of everyone in the family. Making sure that your parents have plans in place can help support their comfort, and the rest of the family’s as well.