It is not uncommon for children to feel uncomfortable when their parents bring up estate planning topics. Naturally, they don’t want to think about something happening to you, or the day that you are no longer around.
Nonetheless, this is an important discussion that needs to be had. Having a watertight estate plan in place will not only benefit you but, also, your children. How can you help them to see this?
Make the subject relatable
Perhaps you’ve seen a new story where someone passed away without a will, and their loved ones were subsequently left without an inheritance? Even better, maybe you personally know somebody who has experienced this?
If you can find a way to make your estate planning relatable, your children are more likely to get on board. Emphasize how upset you were about the above scenarios, and stress that you do not want the same thing to happen if you become incapacitated. Once your children see how important the matter is to you, you can all move forward as a family unit.
Focus on the idea this about their future security
While a large portion of estate planning is about death, it is also about so much more. It is about you and your family feeling more comfortable, and ultimately living a more fruitful life.
Getting the ball rolling now will allow you to live more freely, in the knowledge that your family will be taken care of through your estate, no matter what happens.
Estate planning is a tricky subject to approach, but you can address it as a family. Involving your children in the process will put their minds at ease, and offer them security in the future. As you make your plans, make sure you have researched your legal rights in California.