Perhaps the greatest hurdle in the path of most families is lack of communication. All too often, family members are hesitant to discuss estate planning. Parents considering retirement may wish to delay any discussion because of the unpleasant overtones connected with growing old and dying. Younger family members may hesitate mentioning estate planning to avoid placing additional stress on their parents or grandparents and because they do not wish to be misinterpreted. In many families, a young person's mentioning of estate planning is tantamount to admitting greed and to wanting to take over.
Communication is at the root of the problem.
One way is to use this publication as a conversation piece. Share what you learn with other family members. Encourage them to read the material. Other sources that can stimulate conversation include programs and publications from the Cooperative Extension Service, and books, magazine articles, and publications from banks or trust companies. These may serve as the basis for a discussion of your particular problems and illustrate the consequences of lack of planning.