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If you haven’t talked with your parents about their will, you probably should. I suggest having this conversation before you are scrambling to find a will or power of attorney when you may really need it. Here are four tips on how to have this conversation: Set a Time Make a date with your parents and bring it up then. It's hard to avoid the topic when you've specifically set aside time to discuss it. Ask them to go out for coffee or lunch, or even schedule an activity like a hike or walk in a scenic spot. Not in the neighborhood? Schedule a phone call or zoom chat. You can make it fun by making it a happy hour, or play a virtual game to kick things off. Bring it Up Often, mentioning that you've been considering getting a will or an estate plan for yourself is a great way to break the ice. This topic can be tricky to bring up in conversation naturally, so it's a good idea to just do it on your own, instead of waiting for the perfect time. Listen Make sure to listen to what your parents say about the status of their will and/or estate plan. Since the topic can be delicate, approach it with curiosity. Ask them where the documents are in case you need to find them and the last time they were updated. This should get the conversation moving in the right direction. Thank Them Regardless of whether or not your parents have a will/estate plan in place, thank them for talking with you about it. This topic often makes people uncomfortable. Show your gratitude by thanking them for discussing it and stating how important it is to you to make sure to honor their wishes. Make a mental note to follow up later on if their plan needs to be created or updated. If you want to get your own will, trust and/or estate plan in place, schedule a free consultation with us to get started by hitting the button in the right-hand corner at the top of the page. We'd love to hear from you!

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California's Intestacy Laws Determine How Your Property Will Be Distributed if You Don't Have Your Own Will

Wills for Heroes is a great organization that helps to provide wills and other simple estate planning documents for firefighters, paramedics and other first responders free of charge. As a law student, I volunteered at multiple Wills for Heroes events in Chicago. I loved meeting the clients and helping them get a plan in place. As most people (nearly 70% according to a recent study) do not have a will, many first responders also do not have a will or an estate plan in place. Wills for Heroes was founded after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The effects of that day made it clear that those who serve their community so selflessly need to have wills in place. The San Diego County Bar Association is teaming up with Wills for Heroes to give back to the community and I’m so honored to be a volunteer. Wills for Heroes now includes firefighters, paramedics, EMT/EMS professionals, police officers, and correctional and probation officers, as well as doctors, RNs, LPNs, PAs, CNAs, technicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, residents, interns, and medical students as Heroes who qualify for the program. Details about how to qualify for this program can be found here: SDCBA & Wills for Heroes . The deadline to sign up has been extended until November 15, 2021. If you, a loved one, a friend or neighbor is a first responder and is interested in obtaining a will and other documents free of charge, please head to this link to sign up: Wills for Heroes Application Please pass on this post to anyone who may benefit. I love giving back to my community and I’m excited to participate in this program again. Please note that this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. By reading this information and accessing this website, no legal relationship or representation has been created between the reader and the Law Office of Katie M. Shank. If you are a California resident interested in representation, please contact the Law Office of Katie M. Shank for more information. If you are not a California resident, feel free to ask us for a referral to an attorney who practices in your area.