Even though all of a person’s estate planning documents are ready and up-to-date, it is important for that person to communicate with his or her family about how the estate planning documents work and how they will be implemented in the event of his or her death or illness. Some may not want to burden their family members or children with the details of their estate planning documents. But consider this, it might actually ease the state of mind should something happen to the client. Having ones affairs in order can ease the worrying that a family goes through in a crisis, and taking the time to time discuss just what these documents say with a family can also go even further is easing the worry about their family member’s affairs. Family meetings can also help reduce tensions surrounding controversial issues in a will. Discussing the issue with the people involved could lead more understanding.
See Curtis Kaiser, Estate Planning: Plan A Family Meeting, Gazette Newspaper, Apr. 8, 2013.
Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.
