Holidays are a Great Time for Estate Planning Talks

The holidays are a great time to catch up with loved ones, so why not make the most of it by having some important conversations? One topic that is often overlooked, yet critical to discuss is estate planning.   

Here are a few reasons why our California estate planning lawyers suggest sitting down with loved ones this year to talk about your wishes and answer any questions they may have so that everyone is on the same page if something happens to you. 

1. You’re all in one place.

The holidays are usually one of the few times when everyone is able to take some time off and be together. This makes it the perfect opportunity to have important conversations about your wishes for long-term care and your end-of-life plans while everyone is gathered in one place. 

2. It’s a time for reflection.

The holidays are often a time when people reflect on their lives and what’s important to them. This can make it the perfect time to start thinking about estate planning and what you want your loved ones to do after you’re gone. It can also be a good opportunity to update your will or trust if you’ve had any major changes in your life (e.g., birth of a child, death of a spouse, etc.).

3. There’s usually downtime.

When you’re gathered together with family during the holidays, there’s usually some downtime when people are just hanging out or watching TV. This can be a great time to chat about estate planning without everyone feeling like they have to sit at the table and have a formal discussion. Instead, you can just bring it up casually and see where the conversation goes from there.

Remember: Planning is a Gift When a Crisis Strikes 

No one likes thinking about their own mortality, but it’s important to have a plan in place that deals with illness, incapacity and death. If you’re gathering with your family for the holidays, take advantage of the opportunity to have some important conversations about estate planning. You never know—it could end up being one of the best gifts you give them this holiday season!

If you have any further questions about asset protection planning and strategies to shield your wealth, or if you’d like to have your current asset protection plan reviewed to make sure it still meets your needs, please contact us at our California asset protection office at 800-244-8814 to set up a consultation.