How To Speak To Your Children About Your Will

Death is not one of those topics that people want to bring up in a conversation or talk about in general, especially with their children. However, after a will has been drafted, it is crucial that you sit down with your children and make them aware of how you have planned to have the estate divided upon your passing. In doing so, you can help prevent a feud between your children and make sure that they are all aware of what will come. Here are a few tips that may help ease the stress of having this hard conversation.

Make Plans to Have the Conversation Early; Don't Procrastinate

Do not put off speaking to your children about the will. If someone else delivers the news of your will to your children upon your death, it will likely result in a lot more pain for them, which can be more difficult for them since they will be grieving your death. By talking to your children early on, you will help ensure that your kids feel more included in the entire process.

Speak to Your Children One-on-One and Then as a Group

If you have more than one child, arrange one-on-one meetings before you talk to them as a group. In doing so, you will have the chance to provide them your undivided attention, and they will have the opportunity to voice their own concerns and opinions without their siblings around worrying about whether they may hurt their feelings or insult them. If you do not have intentions on equally dividing your assets, the individual meetings with your children will provide you with a chance to explain your intentions without interruptions.

Make Sure to Be Transparent

It is important that you do not hide anything that you list in your will from your children. After all, upon your passing, it will all be revealed to them anyway. Therefore, it is best to make sure they are properly prepared now for what to expect then. Plus, your children may make their future plans with their inheritance in mind, so it is important that you are honest and fair when speaking to them about your will.

If you are ready to get started with the estate planning process, and keep in mind it is never too early to get started, reach out to an estate planning attorney at a law firm like Abom & Kutulakis LLP in your area for assistance.

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