If you’ve been thinking about having a comprehensive estate plan in Louisiana, one of the essential aspects is talking to your family about what you have in mind. However, that’s not to say that having an estate planning conversation with your loved ones will be easy, but you can increase your chances of success by doing the following.
Preparing yourself for the conversation
Preparing to explain your estate plans may mean understanding your estate planning goals and being able to articulate them clearly. You need to be able to explain why you’re estate planning and what you hope to achieve. Your family members should also understand the distribution of the estate.
Have the conversation in the right atmosphere and time
Every family is different, so you’ll need to gauge what will work best for yours. You might want to have the conversation over a nice dinner or during a family vacation. Make sure that everyone is relaxed and receptive to what you say.
Be open, honest and patient
Your family members need to know what your estate plan entails. Tell them about your will, your beneficiaries, and any other important details. This way, there won’t be any surprises down the road. Also, note that your family members might not be ready to have this conversation immediately. And that’s okay. Just let them know you’re open to discussing estate planning whenever they’re ready.
Underscore the importance of the conversation
Many people avoid estate planning because they think it’s morbid or depressing. But it’s important to remind your family members that estate planning ensures their wishes are acknowledged and fulfilled after you’re gone. It’s a way of showing them how much you care. Also, estate planning can be a way to resolve any lingering family conflict.
Whatever you do, avoid getting into a fight with your family about estate planning. Remember that your family members might have estate planning ideas that are different from yours. Therefore, it’s essential to listen to their concerns and devise a plan to which everyone can agree.