10 Tactful (and Sensitive) Ways to Tell Your Elderly Parent(s) You Would Like Them to Get Buried In Work's Estate Preparation Package
As our loved ones age, it becomes increasingly important to have conversations about estate planning. While it may seem like a difficult topic to broach, it's essential for ensuring that their wishes are carried out and that their affairs are in order.
The average estate settlement process requires an average of roughly 570 hours of work on the part of the executor, and if that’s you, that’s a lot of time that you’re going to need to account for. Fortunately, Buried in Work’s Estate Preparation Package significantly reduces that time.
At Buried in Work, we understand the sensitivity of this subject and have put together a guide to help you approach your elderly parents about estate planning in a tactful and respectful manner.
1. Send Them This Article
(See what we did there?) One of the best ways to start the conversation is by sharing this article with your parents. It provides valuable insights into the importance of estate planning and the benefits of our Estate Preparation Package.
Key Benefits of the Estate Preparation Package Include:
Comprehensive Estate Planning: It avoids the stressful search for information in critical moments, ensuring your family has all the necessary details.
Cost Efficiency: Saves on attorney fees, which typically range from $150 to $400 per hour. The Estate Preparation Package helps minimize these hours and provides valuable information to attorneys and financial planners.
Financial Planning Support: Gives your financial planner a complete view of your estate, aiding in effective future planning.
Time-Saving for Heirs and Executors: Offers clear instructions and organized information, saving over 80 hours of work.
The Package Includes:
Nine Tailored Sections: Reduces attorney and financial planner billable hours, focusing on comprehensive estate organization.
50+ Essential Tools: Worksheets, forms, and logs in both printed and editable PDF formats for convenience and lifetime relevance.
Secure Storage Solution: A fire and water-resistant document organizer, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 2,000°F.
32GB USB Drive: Pre-loaded with editable files and ideal for storing digital memories.
Premium Record-Keeping: A faux-leather binder and punch for easy document management.
Annual Reminders: Ensures regular updates to your estate plans.
Peace of Mind Guarantee: Assistance and support from the service team.
The Estate Preparation Package is not just about legal documents but about providing a structured, comprehensive, and easy-to-manage system for estate organization, benefiting both you and your heirs significantly.
2. Ask Them to Complete the Short “How Prepared Are You?” Quiz on Buried in Work’s home page.
The "How Prepared Are You Quiz" is created to assist individuals in assessing their readiness and knowledge for organizing their own estate or managing someone else's estate, like a parent's. Take the quiz here.
3. Express Your Concerns & Share Personal Stories
Approach the conversation with empathy and express your concerns about their well-being and the future. Let them know that you want to ensure their wishes are respected and that their affairs are in order, which will provide peace of mind for everyone involved.
If you have personal experiences related to estate planning, sharing them with your parents can make the topic more relatable. Whether it's a story about a friend's family or your own estate planning journey, personal anecdotes can help ease the conversation and show that estate planning is a common and important aspect of life.
4. Highlight the Benefits
Emphasize the benefits of estate planning, such as reducing stress for the family, ensuring their legacy is preserved, and providing clear instructions for their wishes to be carried out. By focusing on the positive outcomes, you can help alleviate any apprehension they may have about discussing estate planning.
5. Offer Support
Let your parents know that you are willing to support them throughout the estate planning process. Whether it's helping them gather necessary documents, researching estate planning options, or accompanying them to meetings with professionals, your support can make the process less daunting for them.
6. Discuss the Buried in Work Estate Preparation Package
Introduce them to the Buried in Work Estate Preparation Package, which goes beyond traditional estate planning by providing a comprehensive toolkit for organizing essential information. Highlight the benefits of the package, such as saving time and reducing stress for their heirs and executor.
7. Seek Professional Guidance
Encourage your parents to seek professional guidance from estate planning attorneys or financial planners. Assure them that these professionals are there to help them navigate the complexities of estate planning and ensure that their wishes are carried out according to their preferences.
8. Respect Their Wishes
It's important to approach the conversation with an open mind and respect their decisions regarding estate planning. While you may have suggestions and recommendations, ultimately, it's their estate and their wishes should be the guiding force behind the planning process.
9. Address Their Concerns
Listen to any concerns or apprehensions your parents may have about estate planning. Addressing their fears and uncertainties with patience and understanding can help them feel more comfortable discussing this important topic.
10. Revisit the Conversation
Estate planning is an ongoing process, and it's essential to revisit the conversation periodically. Let your parents know that you are available to discuss estate planning at any time and that you are committed to supporting them throughout the process.
About Buried in Work:
We have a clear objective - To simplify the burden surrounding estate planning, when someone dies, and estate transition. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer looking for information or someone who is looking for a guided fill-in-the-blanks approach, Buried in Work is here to help. Resources are available at www.buriedinwork.com."
