Tips For Discussing Estate Planning In Tampa With Your Loved Ones

Estate planning involves developing strategies for dealing with unexpected events and creating legal documents that convey your wishes, protect your assets, and provide for loved ones. While an estate plan is something everyone needs, it can be a sensitive topic to bring up. Our Tampa estate planning lawyer offers tips on issues that should be addressed and how to make these conversations easier.

Informing Loved Ones Of Your Estate Plan

A will is one of the most basic yet important estate planning documents. In addition to a will, there are other estate planning documents you should consider.

These include advance directives, which communicate your wishes to medical providers in the event you are incapacitated and unable to do so yourself. Powers of attorney designate someone you trust to manage your business and financial affairs if you are unable to do so. Creating a trust may be an option as well. It can protect your assets, helps ensure Medicaid eligibility in the event you require long-term care, provides for minor children or vulnerable adults, and allows for more detailed distributions to loved ones.

Once you create these documents, follow these tips in informing those closest to you and anyone who will likely be impacted:

• Pick a time when everyone is relaxed, such as after dinner;
• Let them know what documents you have in place and where they are located;
• Explain how they are likely to affect individual people;
• Inform your family as to why you chose a particular person to act as your personal representative;
• Clarify distributions among beneficiaries that could be a source of disputes in the future;
• Verbally communicate what is contained in your advance directive, emphasizing your wishes regarding long-term and end-of-life care.

Bringing Estate Planning Up To Those You Love

If you have older loved ones, you may be wondering what estate planning documents they have in place. This is a valid concern, as many people tend to put off creating them. How should you bring up the topic? Our Tampa estate planning attorney advises following these tips:

• As when discussing your own estate plan, pick a quiet time when everyone is relaxed and there are no other pressing concerns;
• Approach the topic respectfully;
• Share about the documents you have created and why they are important;
• Ask them about their specific goals for the future and any concerns they have.

If they already have a will or other estate planning documents, emphasize the importance of updating them regularly. Offer your support in putting an estate plan in place and refer them to our Tampa estate planning attorney. 

Request A Consultation With Our Tampa Estate Planning Lawyer Today 

Discussing sensitive topics with loved ones may be difficult but should not be avoided. At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., we offer the trusted, experienced legal guidance you need in putting a will and other important estate planning documents in place. To request a consultation with our Tampa estate planning attorney, give us a call or contact our office online today.

Sources:

hillsclerk.com/court-services/probate-guardianship-and-trust

medicaid.gov/