The Holidays are Here—It’s a Good Time to Talk Estate Planning

With the holidays right around the corner, you’ve got a lot on your to-do list, but one item that may be missing is estate planning. Less than 50% of US adults have any sort of estate plan, and yet all of us have assets worth protecting. Planning for the future is an important part of caring for your loved ones and so this holiday season, while you’re all gathered together, talk estate planning conversation. There really is no greater gift you can give your family than the security of knowing their future is protected.

Protecting Your Family: How (and Why) to Talk Estate Planning Over the Holidays

In our increasingly global world, it can be harder and harder to gather the family together. Often, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only time everyone is able to make the trip home which is why the holidays are an opportune time to talk about estate planning. You might not look forward to bringing up the subject, but you and your loved ones will be grateful you did. What follows are three tips for getting started.

Tread Lightly 

Only you know how best to communicate with your family. Maybe your loved ones are the type to appreciate advance warning and time to think. Maybe they’d prefer a low-key, organic approach that doesn’t give the topic undue weight. Maybe they’re one-on-one conversation types.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to talking about estate planning, which is why it’s important you take time to reflect on what might work best for your loved ones (and yourself!).

Keep it Focused

Delicate conversations can easily slip off the rails. Prevent this by arriving prepared. Before you sit down, take time to list your assets, think about who might get what, and reflect on who you would like to serve as your estate executor, financial power of attorney, healthcare representative, and trustee.

Seek Expert Help

People often delay planning for the future because they feel out of their depth. How do you set up a trust if you’re not even sure what one is?

The answer: you speak to a professional.

You don’t need to know the ins and outs of estate planning to raise the subject. You do need to seek experienced counsel, though. After all, this is the only way to address the many questions and doubts that inevitably arise.

Contact The Law Firm of Christopher W. Dumm

To learn more about addressing estate planning with your family this holiday season, do not hesitate to reach out to the Law Firm of Christopher W. Dumm either by calling 417-623-2062 or using the contact form on our website.