Should your family know all the details of your estate plan? You might have worries over stirring up family tension, or perhaps the subjects of powers of attorney and healthcare directives aren’t the sunniest of dinner table topics.
However, there are a number of benefits to letting your family know some of the key points covered in your plan. For example, telling your family about your preferences in the event of incapacity will save them from encountering an extra level of stress and confusion.
Here are a few different ways you might choose to get your family acquainted with your plan:
Option #1: Share everything with everyone
Total transparency is certainly an option, but it might not be the ideal choice depending on your family dynamics. Too much information can be overwhelming, and could also lead to disputes between family members. However, too little information can cause misunderstandings, stress, and time delays when the time to act comes.
Option #2: Share the basics with everyone
Sometimes, sharing a summary rather than all the details is a simpler and more effective choice. If you’re going the summary route, talk about how your estate plan works or “flows” without including any information about the specific assets.
Option #3: Share your list of point people
Another route to take if you don’t want to divulge every detail of your plan is to simply share who you’ve “cast” in different roles in your plan. Let your family know who your trustees, executors, and health care agents are so there are no surprises later on and so they know who to look to, when the time comes.
Are these types of topics difficult for you to discuss with your family? We can help you work through this process. Contact us today so we can make sure all your children get the most out of life and enjoy ongoing financial security for years to come.