Telling your loved ones about your estate plan is something that is widely recommended. While some people find the thought of talking about an inevitable death painful or talking about money uncomfortable, there are a lot of benefits to doing so. For example, it reduces the chance of a will contest that stems from confusion over why you made one or more decisions.
It is also important to give some thought to how you will have this conversation. Mishandling it could potentially cause more problems than just staying silent.
1. Do it with everyone at the same time
One reason many people choose events such as Thanksgiving or Christmas to discuss their estate plan is that it might be the only time they have their whole family together. Telling everyone involved at the same time can reduce the chance of accusations of favoritism or incorrect information being passed on to a person who was not there.
2. Timing matters
Let’s say you’ve decided to talk to everyone during a family gathering. Think about what the most suitable time in the day would be — especially if you suspect that some family members might be unhappy with what they hear. Doing it early in the day could dominate or even negatively affect the rest of the day. However, leaving it until late in the evening could mean that people who have been drinking might react in ways they later regret.
3. Have an idea of what you want to say
While your estate plan will likely cover a lot of things, you don’t necessarily need to discuss them all in the initial conversation. Considering what you do and do not want to cover can help you avoid omitting something important or having the discussion become overly drawn out.
If you have experienced legal guidance with your estate planning, this can help you get the information you need to explain things clearly and answer any questions that might arise.