It’s natural for people to be curious about whether or not their parents have done any estate planning. You may find yourself wondering what you’re going to inherit, for example. But you may also be curious about what plans they have made for their medical future or things of this nature.
Estate plans can be very beneficial, and they help to reduce the odds of an estate dispute. But you may be concerned that bringing it up is going to sound like you just want to know how much money you’re going to get or that you have other self-serving reasons. Here are some tips to help you get this conversation started without giving your parents this impression.
Explain your reasoning
First and foremost, don’t hesitate to tell them why you want to know. Maybe you’re concerned that you won’t know what type of medical care they would want in an emergency, for instance. Stress the real reasons that you want to know about the estate plan so that they can see that it’s not just about money.
Include everyone else
It may be wise to include other beneficiaries, as well. For instance, maybe you have siblings. If you all have a family conversation about the estate plan, it shows that you’re thinking about everyone and not just focusing on what you can get out of it.
Make a plan yourself
Finally, it may be a good idea to make an estate plan yourself. You can then learn about different legal tools and the various steps you can take. This allows you to ask your parents if they’ve taken similar steps, providing a very natural way to get this conversation going.
The estate planning process can be complex. All those involved need to be well aware of their legal options.