When people in Texas have a good job, are surrounded by people they care about and are not immediately lacking anything they desire to have, the last thought to cross their mind may be estate planning. However, studies have demonstrated proof that people who plan their estate early on, seek the input of their loved ones and guarantee that their final wishes are legally preserved, often have a much more successful outcome following their death in terms of being able to control where their assets are distributed.
In a culture that forces the privacy of a person’s finances, it may seem both unconventional and brash for a person to bring up the topic, especially if they are encouraging someone else to plan their estate. Many adult children are hesitant to open a discussion with their aging parents about what their plans are for their assets because they are fearful that their concerns will be misconstrued and come across wrong.
Fortunately, there are ways that people can encourage interest in the topic of estate planning in a healthy, productive and effective way. Some expert suggestions include a tip that people arrange a family meeting where honesty is encouraged by all participants. Throughout the process, as legal documents are organized and notarized, these documents can be shown to provide peace of mind that everything that was discussed has been written down. Additionally, it is recommended that people approach the topic of estate planning with an interest in the person who it is about and not in a forceful way as they try to figure out how much they will be able to walk away with.
If people are not sure of where, to begin with planning their estate, they may benefit from the help of a legal professional. Utilizing experience and a thorough analysis of a person’s lifestyle and final wishes, an attorney can help to create a customized plan that will provide clarity for surviving family members.
Source: Forbes, “Having The Inheritance Talk With Parents Brings Both Sadness And Relief,” Jody Gastfriend, Jan. 10, 2019