I read a great article recently about a woman reflecting on her mother’s illness and passing, and it really stuck with me. It wasn’t just emotional—it highlighted some incredibly practical gaps that a lot of families (and frankly, advisors) overlook.
A few things really stood out.
First, most people plan for retirement, but not for aging. There’s a big difference. Staying in the family home can feel right emotionally, but if it’s not designed for mobility, safety, or access to care, it can quietly turn into a major burden later on.
Second, having a living will isn’t enough—people need to know about it. In a medical emergency, clarity matters. If the right documents aren’t accessible, families can end up making painful decisions without knowing what their loved one actually wanted.
Another big one: naming a single healthcare decision-maker. It’s tempting to include multiple children to be “fair,” but in practice, that can create delays, miscommunication, and added stress at the worst possible time. Proximity and clarity matter more than fairness here.
The same idea applies to choosing an executor. That role is more complex than most people realize, and splitting responsibility across multiple family members can lead to conflict or inefficiency. In many cases, a neutral third party is the better choice.
The overarching theme for me was this: good planning isn’t just about finances—it’s about reducing stress, confusion, and conflict for the people you care about most.
Definitely worth the read if you’re thinking about how to better guide clients—or even just your own family—through these conversations. Original article: https://www.linkedin.com/
If you would like to talk about your family's needs, please reach out to me.