One of the Most Important Conversations You Should Have With Your Family

Gathering your loved ones to share a meal could provide a more comfortable setting for one of the most important conversations you should have with your family.

As an estate planning and elder law firm, our Elder Advisors Law team can help you prepare to discuss wills, trusts, advanced directives, and more with your family.

It is entirely possible that your children and other loved ones would like to know, for example, how you want to be cared for in the event of incapacity or an end-of-life situation. But do your loved ones know that you have made your wishes clear through advanced directives and the thinking behind your choices? Do they know that you have created a power of attorney that allows a person of your choosing to make medical and/or financial decisions on your behalf? Even if they understand that you have done so, do they know where the documents can be found? If the documents are on your computer, do your loved ones know what file name or password must be used to access them?

Similarly, your children may wonder about your financial situation. Is your house paid for, or are you carrying a mortgage that must be covered if you pass away suddenly? What about your automobile? Have you created a will or trust, and if so, do your children stand to inherit any assets? Your children may hesitate to ask questions like these for fear of appearing greedy or insensitive. Yet, they may also need this information to plan their estate properly.

We understand how difficult it is to begin a conversation of this nature and can help you find the best ways to do so with your loved ones. Experience tells us that families who can open up this way draw closer together and feel a sense of relief afterward.