Estate planning can be a difficult subject to broach with your parents or elderly relatives. However, these conversations are important to have in planning your futures. Thankfully, by using the guidance below, you can have a successful discussion with your loved ones.

How to Talk About Estate Planning

1. Have the Conversation as Soon as Possible

It’s never too early to have this talk with your loved ones. People of any age can get sick or have accidents. A will isn’t just a document that details how their assets should be distributed. It also discusses how they want to deal with sickness or end of life care. Having a will makes it easier for loved ones to make decisions about medical care.

2. Use Your Personal Experience

One way to broach the subject is to tie it into your own experience. If you just created an estate plan or made some changes, you can bring it up in conversation. Everyone should have a will, regardless of age. If you don’t have one, you can suggest that both you and your loved ones go about the process together. Explain that you’ve been anxious about making sure you know their wishes and that you want to do what’s best for them.

3. Focus on What They Want

Honor their choices. They have the right to decide what should be done. Ask polite and open-ended questions about their decisions so you understand their reasoning, and offer opinions only if they request your input.  

Stuart R. Norman Jr. is a talented attorney who can help your elderly loved ones with their estate planning. He has more than 40 years of experience serving residents of the Jewett City, CT area and is passionate about helping seniors ensure their wishes are respected. Visit his website or call (860) 376-0069 to start work on your loved ones’ will.