It often happens in the blink of an eye. One moment, life feels normal. Then a fall, a stroke, or a sudden illness sends a loved one to the hospital. The doctors recommend skilled nursing care. The family scrambles to find a facility with an open bed. But when the admissions team asks for paperwork, the family stares back in confusion. They don’t have it. The documents the nursing home requires, the ones that give legal authority to make decisions, are missing. Suddenly, an already overwhelming situation turns into a crisis.

Waiting until retirement to create an estate plan is one of the biggest mistakes Gen X can make. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and without a plan, your loved ones may be left navigating unnecessary expenses, probate delays, and even family conflict. Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone. It’s about protecting your family, your assets, and your future right now.

Life changes fast. And, if your estate plan doesn’t keep up, it might not work when your family needs it most. This is why you need to revisit your documents periodically.

“We’ll get to it eventually.”
It’s a phrase I hear often—and not just from clients. We say it about doctor visits, going to the gym, cleaning out the garage... and estate planning. But unlike most tasks we postpone, waiting too long to create an estate plan can carry devastating consequences—especially for the people you love most.

Talking about estate planning can be uncomfortable, but avoiding the discussion can lead to unintended consequences. Instead of thinking of it as a legal matter, frame it as a way to honor your parents' wishes and protect their legacy.

Start with open-ended questions like:

• What matters most to you when it comes to your assets and healthcare decisions?

• Who do you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to?

• Have you documented your wishes in a legal format?

These conversations don’t have to be completed in one sitting. The key is to start early and make it an ongoing dialogue.

As Gen-Xers and Millennials face the challenges of caregiving, many find themselves balancing careers, raising children, and managing their finances while also assuming responsibilities for aging parents. Caring for aging parents, managing their healthcare, finances, and future plans is a reality that many in these generations are navigating. This shift in roles has led to new questions and responsibilities around preserving family legacies and ensuring long-term care security. Protecting your parents' legacy can feel overwhelming, but with proactive estate planning, you can preserve their legacy and ensure that their wishes are honored.

As our loved ones age, it's natural to start thinking about how we can support them during their final stages of life. As Gen Xers and Millennials, many of us are finding ourselves in a new role—helping our aging parents plan for their future. Conversations about end-of-life care can be tough, but they’re more important than ever. Without a plan in place, the journey through end-of-life decisions can be confusing and painful for everyone involved. So, let’s talk about how to navigage end of life care for our loved ones.