I Think My Parents Need an Estate Plan. How Do I Approach the Subject?

With a desire to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, many adult children worry about their parents and asset protection.

When approaching these sensitive subjects, I recommend total transparency; even with the best of intentions, secrecy can lead to trust issues with the closest of family members. This can be achieved by inviting your whole family over for coffee or tea, and conveying your concerns in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. It might be helpful to be provide your family with informational literature, like these blog posts.

Be patient if they convey a lack of interest. They might not be emotionally or financially prepared to take that step and forcing them before they are ready could lead to issues down the road, such as unhappy heirs or concerned family members challenging the estate plan in court. While you can certainly express a willingness to help them navigate the process, it’s critical that you do not create their estate plan on your own. Ultimately, this decision belongs to your parents.