Estate planning involves organizing your affairs to simplify the distribution of assets and the reconciliation of debts after your passing. This is meant to reduce the burden on your family members and grant them some measure of peace. However, many parents end up unknowingly making mistakes that can cause conflict among their surviving children. If you’re hoping to prevent this tension, take advantage of these three cautionary tips.

How to Avoid Sibling Conflicts Through Estate Planning

1. Talk It Out

While you’re still alive, prepare your children for the future by explaining the details of your will. This is especially smart if your children are adults who are capable of understanding the complexities of estate planning. For example, if you can make it clear that your son will receive the family store and your daughter the house, there won’t be any surprises once you pass. If they have an issue with your decision, you can talk it out while there’s still an opportunity for change.

2. Avoid a Hierarchy

If one or more of your children are still minors when you pass away, you may consider leaving their inheritance in the hands of an older sibling with a request to care for the younger one. However, this can create complications.

Instead, establish a trust for your minor children, which will allow you to withhold the funds or assets until they turn a certain age. If you need to put someone in charge of the trust, consider choosing your spouse or the child’s godparent instead to avoid upsetting your kids' sibling dynamic. You can also choose a third-party individual to be the trustee, such as a lawyer.

3. Make Plans for Yourself

In addition to leaving assets behind, you should make plans for your medical treatment should you become ill or incapacitated at the end of your life. A health care directive will stipulate the nature of your treatment—such as whether you want to be resuscitated or fed through a tube should the need arise—and a power of attorney will put one individual in charge of your medical decisions.

Without these estate planning documents in place, tensions might arise among adult children who have different opinions about what is the best health care option for you. By clearly stating what you want, your children can come together to fulfill your wishes.

With so many perspectives to consider, it’s important to plan your estate with the help of a lawyer. In Brentwood, TN, Castles Family Law is dedicated to representing their clients’ best interests, especially when they’re no longer around to voice them themselves. If you’d like assistance setting up a will, trust, or power of attorney, call them at (615) 804-6086 to arrange for a consultation. You can also visit the website to learn more about their estate planning services.