Three Ways Estate Planning Can Improve Relationships With Loved Ones
With the holiday season recently behind us, you probably spent lots of time with your family and friends. During these moments, you’re likely reminded of just how important these relationships can be. As we grow older, we begin to realize how precious little time we have to spend with one another.
Given life’s fleeting nature, using this time to talk about estate planning is vital for ensuring you and your loved ones will be provided and cared for no matter what happens. Though death and incapacity can be uncomfortable subjects to discuss, with a comprehensive plan in place, you’ll almost certainly experience a huge sense of relief and peace, knowing this critical task has been discussed and documented.
Though you might not realize it, estate planning also has the potential to enhance your relationship with loved ones in some major ways. 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.
Indeed, communicating clearly about what you want to happen in the event of your incapacity or death (and asking your loved ones what they want to happen) can foster a deeper bond and sense of intimacy than just about anything else you can do.
Here are just a few of the valuable ways estate planning can improve the relationships you cherish most:
01 | 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 your 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, though, 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 equates to nothing less than a final expression of your unconditional love.
02 | IT INSPIRES HONEST COMMUNICATION ABOUT DIFFICULT ISSUES
Sitting down and having an honest discussion about life’s most taboo subjects—incapacity and death—is almost certain to bring you and your loved ones closer. By forcing you to face mortality together, planning has a way of highlighting what’s really important in life—and what’s not.
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. They also feel more clear about the lives they want to live during the short time we have here on earth.
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.
03 | 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?
Though it’s often challenging to verbally express how much you love your family and friends, estate planning demonstrates your affection in a truly tangible way, and once these people see exactly how much you value them, it can foster a deepening of your relationship with one another.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Simpson Law Firm can help guide and support you in having these intimate discussions with your loved ones. We offer a wide-array of customized planning options designed to enrich your family and friends with far more than just material wealth.
With our help, estate planning doesn’t have to be a dreary affair. When done right, it can put your life and relationships into a much clearer focus and ultimately be a tremendously uplifting experience for everyone involved. Contact us today to learn more.
This article is a service of Simpson Law Firm. We do not just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. We offer an Estate Planning session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and we will assist you in making all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by contacting us here, https://simpsonestatelaw.com/contact-us or calling us at 803-764-9555, and one of our friendly client service assistants will help you set up your consultation.