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There is no easy way to talk to your parents about their assets

R.P.O.V. Counter point to “Talking to your parents about assets, part 2:  Talking about assets” 

One of the hard parts about talking to your parents about assets is the finality of the discussion.   The realization that you are talking about leaving things behind when


they are gone.   We all know that we will eventually leave this world.   However, when having the conversation about leaving this world can make a lot of people feel very uncomfortable.  

 

Which brings me to the uncomfortable conversation about what your parents have.   If your parents have accumulated a lot of things over their lifetime, taking the time to figure out what they have can be overwhelming to your parents.   It is not that they do not want to itemize everything.  It is just that it forces them to have to stop, take a moment, and truly think about everything they own or are in possession.   And not only do they have to think about WHAT they own.  They, also, have to think about where all of these things are located.  Unfortunately, trying to mentally focus on where these things are located maybe even more stressed.

 

The itemization of assets can be even more stressful when your parents start to realize they do not have a full appreciation of the location of all of their assets.   Family and friends borrow things.  People give things to others for temporary reasons.  People come and take things under the belief these things are being given to them.  If your parents’ memory of certain circumstances has changed over time, they may not even remember where things are or who they gave these things.    

 

And how they are stored can be difficult.   Paperwork fades over time.   Legal documents.  Deeds.  Insurance policies.  If important documents your parents possess are not filed with an agency or are not maintained in a safe, weather proof area, you may be looking at documents that are worn, faded and difficult to decipher.  

 

In addition, the search becomes even more stressful when it is a historical generational search.   Imagine hearing the countless stories of property, artifacts, land, or other potentially viable items that were passed down but having no idea of where they went.   Maybe this uncle owns it.  Maybe this cousin possesses it.  Either way, you may find yourself in a web or maze of confusion because your parents may be entitled to something but have no idea where it is or where to find it.

 

All of sudden, the search for all of your parent’s assets turns into a living nightmare.   There is nothing wrong with searching for things but remember when you are taking the time to itemize things you believe your parents own, the search itself can turn into an adventure.  

 

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