Engaging in a meaningful conversation with your spouse about estate planning can help you and the people and causes you care about benefit most.
Why Plan Now?
If you delay strategic estate planning, you could miss out on opportunities to increase your assets, minimize taxes, benefit future generations and understand your spouse's wishes. Plus, discussing your goals now can reduce confusion and possible tension later.
Start Small
First, bring up estate planning with your spouse and share why you think it's important. Then, together, you can choose a specific time to discuss your ideas.
Try these questions to kick-start the conversation with your spouse:
- Assets: What do you own in terms of investments, savings, insurance policies, properties, businesses or other items of value?
- Beneficiaries: Who would you like to receive your assets?
- Charities: What nonprofit organizations would you like to support, and how will you provide that support and provide for family?
- Advocates: Who should make financial or medical decisions for you when you can't make them for yourself?