Thanksgiving is time when families and friends gather to express gratitude, for fellowship, and to eat some seriously good food. We exchange hugs, laughter, and secret family recipes if we’re lucky. This time of year is so important to so many people. It is a time to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future. When the whole family is together, this can also be a great time to talk about estate planning.
You might be thinking, “That’s an awkward topic to bring up over a big slice of pecan pie!” No, that is the perfect time. It is a casual opportunity to talk with your loved ones about your plan, or ask if they have a plan of their own. While you are sharing that secret family recipe, share about the importance of protecting your legacy through estate planning.
The conservation can start with a few simple questions:
- Have you thought about estate planning?
- Do you have a safe place to keep all of your important documents?
- Did you know that many social media sites now have the option to assign a legacy contact?
These simple questions could engage anyone over the age of 18. Estate planning is not just for the elderly. Of course, these questions could go much deeper if the person you are having a conversation with has never considered estate planning or end of life care. This is when you go to the basics of an Advanced Directive.
The Basics of Advanced Directives
An Advanced Directive is a document that combines a living will and health care proxy into one tidy package. An Advanced Directive is needed when someone becomes seriously ill or suffers a critical accidental injury. This document ensures your medical wishes if you cannot make a decision on your own behalf. Advanced directives protect you, and makes it easier on your loved ones if there is ever a need to make a health decision on your behalf. Anyone over the age of 18 should have one in place.
An Advanced Directive is one of the simplest steps in estate planning, and the most essential. It is a simple printed document that can be completed in little time. Once the document is filled out, you need to have it notarized with witnesses signatures. Around Thanksgiving, there are plenty of opportunities to fill out an Advanced Directive, and so many witnesses to choose from at the dessert table.
Conversations like this may make people uncomfortable, but you can lessen any apprehension by framing the conversation in the right way:
- Always express your good intentions to plan for the future.
- Be open and warm with your words. Don’t be pushy, or impose guilt.
- Candidly talk about your own plan, and maybe even how they are part of it.
- Ask them questions to help them consider the possibilities.
- Share stories of what has happened in the past with other family members or news stories.
A family estate planning attorney can help you think about these conversations, as well as, your own plan. Reflecting over your past at Thanksgiving is much better when it is full of stability, love, and gratitude. Make caring memories this Thanksgiving for the years to come.
