Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan? | Freedom Law Services KY
Starting the Conversation That Protects Your Family’s Future
If you’re part of what’s often called the “sandwich generation”—caring for your kids while also looking out for aging parents—you already know how stretched life can feel. Between school schedules, careers, and doctor appointments, it’s easy to push off hard conversations. But there’s one topic that shouldn’t wait: Do your parents have an estate plan—and is it up to date?
As an estate planning law office here in Crestview Hills, we’ve seen too many Northern Kentucky families find out after a health crisis or loss that Mom or Dad’s “old will” wasn’t enough—or worse, that nothing was in place at all. When that happens, it’s the adult children who end up in probate court, juggling legal costs, delays, and family tension on top of their grief.
That’s why now—not later—is the time to have the conversation.
Why Talking About Your Parents’ Plan Feels Hard (and Why It’s Worth It)
Let’s be honest: sitting down to talk with your parents about money, health care, or end-of-life wishes feels awkward. They may insist, “We already took care of that,” or “You don’t need to worry about it.” But approaching the topic with care and respect can spare everyone heartache down the road.
You’re not trying to control their decisions—you’re making sure their choices are honored and their lifetime savings are protected. And the truth is, a solid estate plan is an act of love. It gives your parents confidence that their wishes will be carried out and gives you clarity about what they want.
How to Start the Conversation
Begin with empathy. Choose a calm moment—maybe over Sunday dinner or coffee—and frame it around concern, not control.
Try something like:
“Mom, Dad, I want to make sure we’re all on the same page if anything unexpected ever happens. Would you be open to reviewing your plan together so I can help if the time comes?”
From there, focus on a few key areas that often reveal gaps in older or incomplete plans.
1. Assemble the Right Team
Encourage your parents to make a list of their trusted professionals—attorney, financial advisor, CPA, insurance agent, even their primary doctor. Knowing who’s who (and how to reach them) saves valuable time in an emergency.
Even if they’d rather keep details private for now, they can note where this information is stored. The goal isn’t to pry—it’s to ensure no one is scrambling later.
2. Confirm the Core Documents
Ask gently:
Do you have a Will or Revocable Living Trust?
When was it last updated?
Who serves as the executor or trustee?
A will that hasn’t been reviewed in 15 years—or that names someone who’s since moved away or passed—can create big problems in Kentucky probate court. If they have a trust, make sure assets are actually titled into it. (A trust without funding is just a stack of paper.)
3. Review Medical Directives
Every adult needs a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney. These allow someone they trust to make medical decisions if they can’t communicate their wishes.
Encourage your parents to talk with the person they’ve named so that agent truly understands their values around medical care, life support, and long-term treatment. It’s a tough talk—but far easier now than in a hospital waiting room.
4. Understand Their Insurance Coverage
If a parent becomes incapacitated, will you know which policies exist and where to find them? Gather basic info about:
Health insurance and Medicare/Medicaid coverage
Life insurance
Homeowner’s, auto, or umbrella policies
Any long-term care insurance they may have purchased years ago
You don’t need policy numbers—just awareness of what’s there and whom to call if it’s ever needed.
5. Map Out Financial and Retirement Accounts
Have your parents make a simple list of their bank, investment, and retirement accounts, including which institution holds each one and who’s authorized to help if needed.
They should also have a valid Financial Power of Attorney—a document that lets a trusted person handle accounts, pay bills, and manage investments if they can’t. Kentucky banks often prefer their own forms, so it’s smart to check with the institutions ahead of time.
Having these powers in place ensures that everyday expenses can be paid and larger assets protected without court involvement.
6. Talk About What “Legacy” Means to Them
Estate planning isn’t only about transferring money. It’s about passing on values, stories, and intentions.
Ask your parents what truly matters most—providing for grandkids’ education, supporting a church or charity, keeping the family home, or avoiding disputes among siblings. Understanding their priorities helps the plan reflect their heart, not just their balance sheet.
When we hold Life & Legacy Planning Sessions here at Freedom Law Services, this is where families often have the biggest “aha” moments. Once parents articulate what’s important to them, decisions about documents become much easier.
The Cost of Waiting
When families delay planning, the fallout can be painful. We’ve seen siblings go months without speaking because of confusion over a parent’s estate. We’ve seen modest estates lose tens of thousands in court fees and taxes simply because no one had authority to act.
Most of those outcomes were preventable—with one calm, proactive conversation.
A Simple Tool to Help You Get Started
If you’d like a concrete way to help your parents organize their plan, download our free Estate Planning Self Check-Up Checklist. It walks families through the same questions we cover in a professional review—so you can spot gaps early and update documents before there’s a crisis.
Bringing It Home
At the end of the day, talking with your parents about estate planning isn’t about control—it’s about care.
It’s about making sure the people who raised you can live their later years with dignity, knowing their wishes and wealth will be handled exactly as they intend.
If your parents already have an estate plan, review it. If they don’t, help them start one.
Either way, you’ll all sleep better knowing you’ve protected the people and the legacy that matter most.
Book a Free Discovery Call
Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call with Freedom Law Services today in our Crestview Hills, KY office. Together, we’ll create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects your time, your money, and—most importantly—your family.
Call (859) 344-6742 or visit www.FreedomLawServices.com/call-today to schedule your discovery call.
This article is a service of Freedom Law Services. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed, empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Family Wealth Planning Session™. During the session, you’ll get more financially organized than ever before and make all the best choices for the people you love. Call today to schedule and mention this article to learn how to receive this valuable session at no charge.
This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. For legal advice specific to your needs, please consult an attorney independently of this educational material.
