No one is keen to discuss “the End,” as if talking about it will somehow hasten it, or not talking about it might prevent it from happening! By encouraging your parents to prepare for the end of their lives, you are not only acting as a responsible and loving child, but you are saving time, money, and heartache for yourself and the rest of your family.
A short answer: if they become incapacitated before signing the documents for power of attorney or their will, you are out of luck.
In approaching your parents next time, it may be best to remind them that making end-of-life arrangements is even more for you (and your possible siblings) than for them. The illness and death of loved ones is trying enough, even in the best of circumstances. Ask your parents to think of making end-of-life plans as another way to care for their children.
Only with the proper planning and documents in place can you and your parents be sure that their last wishes will be honored and their assets protected. These are complicated issues that cannot be resolved with online legal templates.
Come in with your parents to discuss with us how we can plan together for their final affairs. It may help to have someone other than a family member lay out the benefits of planning ahead.
