"Professional Third Party" ApproachNov 24, 2025Continuing on the series about conversation starters with our parents about our future inheritance, sometimes the right approach is the profession one. Bringing in an expert helps find a level of gravitas to the conversation that can be very beneficial:“4. The "Professional Third Party" Approach (The External Catalyst)Use the advice of an external expert (real or imagined) as the reason for the conversation, making it objective and non-personal.How to do it: Suggest scheduling an informal meeting with their existing financial planner, estate lawyer, or even yours, for a general review. If they doesn't have one, suggest finding a good elder law attorney for a consultation.Opening Lines:"Mom and Dad, my friend / advisor keeps reminding me that the tax laws or estate rules change all the time. It made me realize that even if your will is perfect, it might be worth having a lawyer or planner just do a 30-minute check-up to make sure everything is still set up exactly the way you want it. I'd be happy to set up the appointment and go with you, just to listen."The Goal: It shifts the responsibility for asking tough questions from you to the professional, who is an impartial authority. It makes the conversation actionable and time-bound.”Again, this isn’t about the amount, this is about the process, planning, and paperwork. The conversation is around being an adult, doing the work for the good of the family, and making sure that the estate is good place before we need to worry about it. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of a cure, so let’s help ourselves and move our families forward…
"Professional Third Party" ApproachNov 24, 2025Continuing on the series about conversation starters with our parents about our future inheritance, sometimes the right approach is the profession one. Bringing in an expert helps find a level of gravitas to the conversation that can be very beneficial:“4. The "Professional Third Party" Approach (The External Catalyst)Use the advice of an external expert (real or imagined) as the reason for the conversation, making it objective and non-personal.How to do it: Suggest scheduling an informal meeting with their existing financial planner, estate lawyer, or even yours, for a general review. If they doesn't have one, suggest finding a good elder law attorney for a consultation.Opening Lines:"Mom and Dad, my friend / advisor keeps reminding me that the tax laws or estate rules change all the time. It made me realize that even if your will is perfect, it might be worth having a lawyer or planner just do a 30-minute check-up to make sure everything is still set up exactly the way you want it. I'd be happy to set up the appointment and go with you, just to listen."The Goal: It shifts the responsibility for asking tough questions from you to the professional, who is an impartial authority. It makes the conversation actionable and time-bound.”Again, this isn’t about the amount, this is about the process, planning, and paperwork. The conversation is around being an adult, doing the work for the good of the family, and making sure that the estate is good place before we need to worry about it. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of a cure, so let’s help ourselves and move our families forward…
Continuing on the series about conversation starters with our parents about our future inheritance, sometimes the right approach is the profession one. Bringing in an expert helps find a level of gravitas to the conversation that can be very beneficial:“4. The "Professional Third Party" Approach (The External Catalyst)Use the advice of an external expert (real or imagined) as the reason for the conversation, making it objective and non-personal.How to do it: Suggest scheduling an informal meeting with their existing financial planner, estate lawyer, or even yours, for a general review. If they doesn't have one, suggest finding a good elder law attorney for a consultation.Opening Lines:"Mom and Dad, my friend / advisor keeps reminding me that the tax laws or estate rules change all the time. It made me realize that even if your will is perfect, it might be worth having a lawyer or planner just do a 30-minute check-up to make sure everything is still set up exactly the way you want it. I'd be happy to set up the appointment and go with you, just to listen."The Goal: It shifts the responsibility for asking tough questions from you to the professional, who is an impartial authority. It makes the conversation actionable and time-bound.”Again, this isn’t about the amount, this is about the process, planning, and paperwork. The conversation is around being an adult, doing the work for the good of the family, and making sure that the estate is good place before we need to worry about it. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of a cure, so let’s help ourselves and move our families forward…
Continuing on the series about conversation starters with our parents about our future inheritance, sometimes the right approach is the profession one. Bringing in an expert helps find a level of gravitas to the conversation that can be very beneficial:
“4. The "Professional Third Party" Approach (The External Catalyst)
Use the advice of an external expert (real or imagined) as the reason for the conversation, making it objective and non-personal.
How to do it: Suggest scheduling an informal meeting with their existing financial planner, estate lawyer, or even yours, for a general review. If they doesn't have one, suggest finding a good elder law attorney for a consultation.
"Mom and Dad, my friend / advisor keeps reminding me that the tax laws or estate rules change all the time. It made me realize that even if your will is perfect, it might be worth having a lawyer or planner just do a 30-minute check-up to make sure everything is still set up exactly the way you want it. I'd be happy to set up the appointment and go with you, just to listen."
The Goal: It shifts the responsibility for asking tough questions from you to the professional, who is an impartial authority. It makes the conversation actionable and time-bound.”
Again, this isn’t about the amount, this is about the process, planning, and paperwork. The conversation is around being an adult, doing the work for the good of the family, and making sure that the estate is good place before we need to worry about it. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of a cure, so let’s help ourselves and move our families forward…