If you’re like many people, when you were growing up, your parents probably had a discussion with you about the realities of the adult world and, more importantly, about sex. While that discussion was likely at least a little uncomfortable for both you and your parents, it may not be as uncomfortable as the discussion you should have with them now. If your parents are aging and have yet to begin the estate planning process, you need to sit down with them and have the talk.
Precautions
Discussing the inevitable mortality we all face is never an easy thing to do, especially when you are an adult child speaking to elderly parents. It’s often helpful to begin this discussion by focusing on what could happen. For example, if your parents have yet to create medical directives, you can discuss what they would want to happen if they begin suffering from serious illnesses. You can also talk about appointing someone who will look after their interests should they become hospitalized or need outside assistance.
Desires
Once you deal with the possibilities of what might happen, you can then start discussing the inevitable. If your parents don’t already know this, you should explain that their choices about inheritances and how they want their property distributed after they die have already been made by the state of Florida. Unless your parents create an estate plan and make their own choices, Florida law will direct how their property is distributed.
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