When people come to see us, one of the first questions we typically ask is why are you here? We want to know what matters to someone and what they are hoping we can help them to accomplish. And invariably, the most common answer we get is that people are looking for an estate planning document (will, trust, power of attorney, etc.) The more we talk, it tends to come out that what people really want is to make sure that their loved ones are taken care of. While we certainly use documents to help us accomplish goals, estate planning is not about preparing documents; it’s about ensuring that your loved ones are cared for. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure they are informed, prepared, and on the same page when it comes to your wishes and intentions. One unique and valuable step in our estate planning process is a special meeting called the “Family Care Meeting.” In this blog, we will delve into the details of what a Family Care Meeting entails and why we believe it is a crucial aspect of your estate planning journey.
The Family Care Meeting typically occurs at any point following your signing meeting with your estate planning attorney. It is an opportunity to bring together your loved ones and key advisors, such as your attorney, financial advisor, CPA, insurance professional, or anyone else on your team of advisors, to review the overall estate plan and address any questions or concerns. This meeting serves several essential purposes:
- Ensuring Understanding: It allows your family members to gain a clear understanding of your estate plan, your wishes, and their roles within it. This transparency can help avoid confusion and misinterpretation of your intentions in the future.
- Open Communication: The Family Care Meeting encourages open and honest communication among all parties involved. It provides a platform for discussing the plan and any potential concerns, which can lead to a smoother implementation of the estate plan.
- Clarifying Roles: Your family and advisors can discuss their respective roles and responsibilities, ensuring that everyone knows what is expected of them when the time comes to execute the plan.
- Addressing Questions and Concerns: This meeting provides an opportunity for your family members to ask questions and express any concerns they may have. Your attorney can address these issues and offer guidance, promoting peace of mind.
- Adapting to Changes: As changes occur in your life or to your estate plan, the Family Care Meeting can be scheduled as frequently as needed to update your family members and advisors. This ensures that everyone is aware of any alterations to the plan and can adjust accordingly.
The Family Care Meeting is designed to be flexible and accessible, taking place in various formats to accommodate your specific needs and preferences. It can be conducted in our office, over the phone, or through virtual platforms like Zoom. This adaptability ensures that you can schedule the meeting when it is most convenient for you, your loved ones, and your advisors. Typically, the Family Care Meeting lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half. This duration allows sufficient time for a comprehensive review of the estate plan, answering questions, and addressing any concerns.
In estate planning, effective communication is key to ensuring your wishes are carried out as intended. The Family Care Meeting is a vital component of this process, promoting clarity, transparency, and open dialogue. By involving your loved ones and advisors in this meeting, you can enhance the chances of a smooth execution of your estate plan and provide your family with the information and support they need during a challenging time.
So, when you embark on your estate planning journey, remember to take advantage of having a Family Care Meeting. It’s a gesture of care and consideration for your loved ones and a proactive approach to ensuring your legacy is managed as you desire. If you need a family care meeting, give our office a call, we would be happy to help.
Click here to learn even more about our Family Care Meeting and holiday-themed ideas of ways to talk to your family about your estate plan from our past webinar featuring Sam and Vinnie:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5423371226014189401
As promised, here is Vinnie’s delicious Cupalets recipe from the webinar:
Cupalets (Cap Soup) 4-8 servings
Dough:
- 2 cups of flour
- 4 eggs
- Mix eggs and flour to form dough
- Add a drop of oil to rub over the dough
- Set macaroni machine or roll out the dough to ¼ inch thickness (if sticky add flour)
- Cut into small squares (little bigger than an inch)
*Note- the dough doesn’t need to dry*
Filling:
- ¼ lb of chopped meat
- 1 egg minced with chopped meat
- Hard bread, wet it until mushy (not soaked)
- Handful of grated cheese
- ½ teaspoon of parsley (dry)
- Mix all together
- Cook over medium heat until meat is brown
Assemble Cupalets
- Take small squares and place a small amount of chopped meat in the middle
- Flip corners to make a triangle (Looks like a diaper)
- Take edges and make it into a cap (Looks like a baby’s bonnet)
