At its core estate planning is fundamentally morbid.  As the cliche goes, the only certainties in life are death and taxes, and estate planning focuses on both of them.  Surprisingly, in the process of planning for an estate questions about mortality sometimes go unasked.  They’re certainly unpleasant topics for conversation, a surefire way to ruin a dinner party in a hurry, but they are important to the process of estate planning.

Question: What is your greatest fear?

Specifically here, what’s relevant are fears as they relate to end of life issues.  Arachnophobia is not particularly helpful.  Is death your greatest fear?  Maybe loss of autonomy, or misappropriation of your estate most worries you.  Perhaps you fear the process of closing your estate might turn your loved ones against each other.  All of these can and should affect planning for your estate.

Question: Have you ever discussed the possibility of your death with your loved ones?

If you have, what came of that discussion?  Are your family members willing to have that conversation and to think honestly about how to carry on your affairs after you’re gone?  If you haven’t, what’s gotten in the way?  Like many of the questions in this series, this one’s about digging deeper than the obvious issues of finances.

There are of course a plethora of follow up questions that can come from this discussion.  Morbid as it undoubtedly is, open and honest reflection on your own mortality is a key part of effective estate planning.

Next post: your parents

For more information on estate planning, contact the Chicago estate lawyers at Horowitz & Weinstein.

Legal Disclaimer.

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