4 Ways Estate Planning Can Improve Relationships with Loved Ones

The relationships you have with your family and loved ones is probably more apparent than ever during the holiday season as you spend cherished time together. It can be hard to make time for everyone to get together outside of the holidays, which is why using this time to talk about estate  planning can be vital for ensuring you and your loved ones will be provided and cared for no matter what happens.

Death and incapacity are difficult topics to discuss and even more so during joyous occasions, you will likely experience a massive sense of relief and peace once you have addressed this critical issue. Furthermore, estate  planning also has the potential to enhance your relationship with loved ones in some major ways, though you might not realize it. This is because planning requires you to closely consider your relationships with family and friends—past, present, and future—like never before. Indeed, the process can be the ultimate forum for heartfelt communication and prioritizing what matters most in life.

Here are just a few of the valuable ways estate  planning can improve the relationships you cherish most:

1: It shows you sincerely care

Taking the time and effort to carefully plan for what will happen to you in the event of your incapacity or when you die is a genuine demonstration of your love. It would be far easier to do nothing and simply let you family and friends figure it out for themselves. After all, you won’t be around to deal with any of the fallout. Planning in advance shows that you truly care about the welfare of your loved ones, even when you’re no longer around to benefit from their love and companionship. Such selfless concern and forethought demonstrates a final expression of your unconditional love.

2: It inspires honest communication about difficult issues

Planning offers the opportunity to talk openly about matters you may not have even considered. When it comes to choices about distributing assets and naming executors and trustees, you’ll have a chance to engage in frank discussions about why you made the choices you did. While this can be uncomfortable, clearly communicating your feelings and intentions is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. In the end, it might just be the first step in actively addressing and healing any problems that may be lurking under the surface of your relationships.

In fact, our clients consistently share that after going through our estate  planning process, they feel more connected to the people they love the most and they have a clearer idea about the lives they want to live during the short time they have here on earth.

3: It builds a deep sense of trust and respect

Whether it’s the individuals you name as your children’s legal guardians or those you nominate to handle your own end-of-life care, estate  planning shows your loved ones just how much you trust and admire them. What greater honor can you bestow upon another than putting your own life and those of your children in their hands?

4: It creates a lasting legacy

While estate  planning is primarily viewed as a way to pass on your financial wealth and property, it can offer your loved ones much more than just financial security. When done right, it lets you hand down the most precious assets of all—your life stories, lessons, and values. Left to chance, these gifts are likely to be lost forever. In light of this, we’ve incorporated the Family Wealth Legacy Interview into our estate  planning process for preserving and passing on these intangible assets.

With this service we guide you to create a customized recording in which you share your most insightful memories and experiences with those you’re leaving behind. A Family Wealth Legacy Interview can not only ensure you’re able to say everything that needs to be said, but that your legacy carries on long after you and your money are gone.

The heart of the matter

With us as your Personal Family Lawyer®, we can help guide and support you in having these intimate discussions with your loved ones. And as our Family Wealth Legacy Interview service shows, we offer a wide-array of customized planning options designed to enrich your family and friends with far more than just material wealth.

Estate  planning doesn’t have to be a dreary affair. When done right, it can put your life and relationships into  focus and ultimately be a tremendously uplifting experience for everyone involved. Contact us today to learn more.

This article is a service of Levi Alexander, Personal Family Lawyer®. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session, ™ during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.

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