If you’re part of the sandwich generation—caring for your kids while also helping your aging parents—there’s a good chance you’re juggling more than most people realize. And somewhere in that juggling act, you may start wondering: Do my parents have an estate plan?

It’s an important question, even though it’s one most of us would rather avoid. Estate planning decisions ultimately belong to your parents, but knowing what they have (or don’t have) in place can make a world of difference for them and for you.

Talking with your parents about their finances, plans, or end-of-life wishes isn’t exactly a fun weekend activity. It can feel uncomfortable, emotional, or even a little awkward. But having the conversation now helps ensure your parents are protected, their wishes are honored, and you’re not left guessing during a crisis. That conversation truly is an act of love.

Estate Planning for Your Parents

When you’re ready to gently open the door to this topic, think of it as a conversation about helping your parents stay in control, not taking control away. You don’t need to know every detail, but you do need to know what exists, where things are located, and who’s in charge if something unexpected happens.

Here are some helpful topics to cover as you talk with them:

Build the “Team List”

Encourage your parents to make (or update) a list of their key advisors: legal, financial, insurance, and medical. Even if they’re not ready to share everything now, knowing where to find this list can save everyone stress later. A simple folder or digital file works.

Last Will and Testament or a Trust

Ask whether they have a will or a revocable trust and when it was last updated. You don’t need to read the documents, but you do need to know:

  • Where the originals are stored
  • Who they’ve named as executor or trustee
  • Whether their assets are properly titled (especially for trusts)

If they don’t have these documents, it may be time to encourage them to meet with an estate planning attorney. Wills and trusts form the foundation of a complete plan, and without them, things can quickly become complicated.

Medical Directives

Find out whether they’ve completed a medical power of attorney and a living will (advance directive). These documents give someone they trust the legal ability to make medical decisions if they can’t communicate.

If they have chosen a medical agent, encourage your parents to talk with that person about their wishes for hospital care, long-term treatment, life support preferences, and other personal choices.

Insurance Policies

Insurance information can be surprisingly hard to track down in a crisis. Your parents (or their trusted decision-maker) should know what policies exist, including:

  • Health insurance or Medicare
  • Life insurance
  • Home and auto insurance
  • Disability or long-term care coverage

Even a one-page summary is incredibly helpful.

Financial, Investment & Retirement Accounts

Encourage your parents to make a list of their accounts, checking, savings, retirement, brokerage, pensions, along with key details like:

  • Where the account is held
  • Account numbers
  • Who to contact at the institution

Just as important: confirm they have a financial power of attorney so someone can step in if they’re unable to manage their finances temporarily or long-term. Some banks require their own forms, so it’s worth checking.

A good estate planning attorney, like Bloom Legal Advisors, can help coordinate these documents so everything works together.

Why Estate Planning Matters

When families aren’t prepared, even small gaps in estate planning can create stress, delays, extra costs, and sometimes conflict. Without a clear plan, state law ends up making decisions your parents never had the chance to express.

Having the conversation now doesn’t solve everything, but it opens the door to better planning and greater peace of mind.

At Bloom Legal Advisors, we help families across Kansas and Missouri create estate plans that reflect their wishes and protect the people they love. If your parents don’t yet have a plan, or if it’s been a while since they reviewed it, we’d be honored to help guide the process with compassion and clarity.

Click Here to Learn More About Our Estate Planning Services at Bloom Legal Advisors