Although the holidays might look different this year, one thing hasn’t changed: The next few weeks are about reflecting on the people who are most important to us. So while you gather with your family this holiday season – whether it’s around the dining room table or around the festive glow of a Zoom call – it’s a perfect time to share information about your goals, values, and wishes.
“The holidays and gathering with loved ones give many parents a once-a-year opportunity to talk through their financial and life plans with their adult children,” says Elise Huston, CFP®, Advisor – Advisory Services Manager and leader of JNBA’s Financial Planning Committee. “It’s a good time to make sure everybody’s on the same page.” The amount of detail shared around goals, values, or wishes will depend on the family’s style and comfort, but we recommend focusing on these important topics:
Goals, concerns, and wishes: Especially if you’re in your 70s or 80s, it’s essential to discuss wishes around your health and how you’ll be cared for (including reviewing any health care directives), where you want to live (do you prefer living in your current home as long as you can, or are you considering an assisted-living option?), charitable giving goals, and any other goals or needs.
Estate plan: Share the make-up of your estate plan and what your wishes are for your legacy. Who are the key people named in your documents to make decisions if you’re incapacitated? Who will execute your estate plan? Talking through and clarifying your intent today will help avoid potential issues in the future.
Resources: Make sure your loved ones know where to look for information about official documents, accounts, logins and passwords, payment information, key professional contacts, insurance, and more. JNBA’s Personal Inventory Checklist is one great resource to keep all of that and other important information in one convenient place.
If you’re looking to have a more structured discussion with your loved ones, your JNBA Advisory Team is always available to host a family meeting. Whether you’d find it valuable to bring in a professional to help guide the conversation or if you’d prefer to lead it yourself, setting aside time to sit down with your adult children and talk through these important details can be one of the most important gifts you give this holiday season.
Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from JNBA Financial Advisors, LLC.
Please see important disclosure information at www.jnba.com/disclosure
