Does your retirement plan include your parents? It probably should. Chances are good that they are counting on you to handle their affairs if they die or become incapacitated.
How confident are you that you have everything you need to handle that role effectively? Do you know their wishes regarding life-prolonging care? Have they given you power of attorney? Will they have adequate resources to pay for the cost of their care?
Many parents are reluctant to discuss these things with their children because they think they are private matters, they fear losing control, or they want to appear to have it all together. Be sensitive to that, but don't let it keep you from starting the conversation because the stakes are high.
A study by MetLife found that there are nearly 15 million adults over age 50 caring for their aging parents. The study estimates the potential costs for caregivers (in terms of lost wages, pension and Social Security benefits) to be around $3 trillion or an average of $300,000 per caregiver. In other words, many risk putting a significant dent in their own retirement plans if they haven't properly planned for how to help mom and dad.
The sooner you begin talking and planning, the easier it will likely be on everyone involved. Helping is much more difficult after a crisis, so start talking while your parents are still healthy and active.
Below is a checklist created for the children of aging parents, that will help you get started with gathering all their important information while they are still alive and able to help you find it all:
Legal documents
Do they have a will, trust or the New Mexico estate plan (meaning they have no plan and NM Intestacy laws will be in effect)?
If so, does it reflect their current wishes (i.e. does it pass property to the correct people and have the correct people taking charge)?
Do they have an up-to-date durable power of attorney for finance?
Do they have an up-to-date durable power of attorney for health care?
Do they have an up-to-date HIPAA release so that family members can speak to medical professionals ?
Do they have an up-to-date Living Will spelling out their wishes for life-prolonging care?
Do they have a statement in their will or a pre-death cremation authorization form?
Finances
Make a list of all accounts and where they are held
Get contact information for their advisers
Consolidate and simplify accounts where possible
Make sure the accounts are titled correctly
Offer to sit in on a meeting with their financial adviser to review investments, make sure the asset allocation is appropriate and make sure there are adequate resources to support your parents' lifestyle
Review Social Security benefits
Make sure all beneficiary designations are up-to-date
Streamline bill paying
Digital Assets
Make a list of all on-line accounts, usernames and passwords
Make a list of all email accounts, usernames and passwords
Make a list of all on-line accounts with auto-withdraw or monthly on-line payments drafted from your financial accounts
Make note of the username and password for your computer
Insurance
Make a list of all insurance policies (life, health, long-term care, etc.) and where they are located
Get contact information for their insurance advisers
Offer to sit in on a meeting with their insurance adviser to see if a long-term care insurance policy would be appropriate
Review homeowners, auto and umbrella liability insurance to make sure they are adequate, appropriate and up-to-date.
Review health insurance coverage and consider whether it would be appropriate to add a Medigap policy to pay for costs not covered by Medicare
Living arrangements
Is the current housing situation suitable?
Do any changes, updates or modifications need to be made to the house?
Have they made contingency plans for illness, disability or death of a spouse?
Is there money available to pay for those contingencies (e.g. savings or long-term care insurance)?
Health
Make a list of their doctors as well as any medications they are taking
Help coordinate benefits between care providers and insurance companies
Becoming a parent to your parent is never easy, but you owe it to both them and yourself to get things in order. And while you're at it, get your own affairs organized so that you don't leave a mess for your kids. Proper planning will give peace of mind, help avoid family conflict and minimize the financial impact on everyone involved.
At the Foster Legal Advisory Group, we specialize in helping families gather all the necessary information needed to create a unique estate plan that will protect those you love. Call us today at 505-238-8385 or visit our website at www.fosterlegaladvisorygroup.com.