When you were a kid, your parents dreaded the talk they had to have with you. You know the one. Well, now that you are an adult, there’s a talk you need to have with your parents that is likely to be just as squirm-worthy – which is why so many of us put it off.
It’s about money. Specifically, your parent’s money. The money that may become yours one day. Or may not.
Whether you or your parents think it’s none of your business, it is. You are most likely the one(s) who will need to deal with all the financial issues your parents leave behind when they become incapacitated or after they die.
Not knowing anything about their finances will place you at an immediate disadvantage, making what will be a hard job almost impossible.
So how do you get the conversation started? Here are some tips from a New York Times column on the subject:
Think about what you need to know
You need to know more than where to find the will, you need to know if parents have executed powers of attorney, advance health care directives or a trust as well. You need to know if they have life insurance or other assets and, if so, where the policy is located. You need to know if they keep a list of all their debts and, if they bank and pay bills online, you need their log-in information for each account.
Bring in a support team
Your parents may feel more comfortable discussing financial issues with their attorney or financial planner present to facilitate the conversation. They may also feel more comfortable talking with all their children at once, or to only one – take family dynamics into consideration.
Make a plan
Chances are you will need immediate access to cash in order to pay expenses related to a parent’s passing. Since probate can be a lengthy process, you may want to plan for this eventuality by having parents establish a revocable living trust, which allows assets to pass outside probate.
Document storage
Be sure your parents do NOT store their important documents in a bank safe deposit box because getting at them could require you to obtain a court order. Use a strongbox or safe that is kept in the home instead. Or make sure you are a signer (and there are back-ups besides you) on the safe deposit box.
This article is a service of the Law Office of Keoni Souza, LLC, an estate planning law firm in Honolulu, Hawaii. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session, ™ during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before, and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by contacting our office today to schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.
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