Christmas is a time for family, togetherness and making cherished memories. Gathering around the tree and sharing Christmas dinner together is an opportunity to spend precious time with loved ones and elderly relatives that we might not usually spend as much time with.
Amid the joy and laughter, its natural to notice subtle changes in our older family members – perhaps Grandma seems a little more forgetful, or Uncle John moves a bit slower than he did last year. These moments can prompt important reflections about the future.
While topics like Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), and funeral wishes might not seem very festive at first glance, they’re actually about giving each other the gift of peace of mind. These conversations ensure everyone’s wishes are honoured and can spare your family stress and uncertainty later. And what better time to open your hearts to these discussions than when you’re already surrounded by love and support?
Let’s explore how to start these meaningful conversations and keep them as positive and compassionate as the Christmas season itself…
Talking About Wills
Having a Will in place brings peace of mind to the entire family. Wills ensure that wishes can be respected, chosen executors are given the power they need, loved ones are provided for and that someone’s estate is managed and distributed in the way they see fit. Having a Will when someone dies is like having a roadmap – it can be very reassuring for families to know that they are acting out their final wishes.
Starting a conversation about Wills with parents, grandparents or relatives can feel daunting. But it is an important conversation to have, before left too late.
- Pick the right moment – in a relaxed setting, such as a casual chat over a cup or tea
- Frame it positively – instead of focusing on illness or loss, emphasise on how important Wills are to provide peace of mind and clarity.
- Share your own plans – start the conversation by sharing your own plans or feelings about making a Will for yourself.
- Use current events or stories – sometimes discussing a relevant news story or a friend’s experience can open the door for a personal discussion.
- Start small – just plant the seed for a further discussion, you don’t need to cover everything straight away, but gently gauge their feelings on the topic and let it evolve.
- Offer to help – if they seem open to the idea of making a Will, offer to assist them in finding a Solicitor or booking an appointment for them.
- Be patient and respectful – this might be an upsetting topic for them, if they are resistant, give them time and space to consider before revisiting the conversation at a later date.
Noticing Signs of Declining Health
It is sadly not uncommon to notice that your elderly relatives are in poor health or struggling with mental capacity over the festive period. Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) can be an important step in safeguarding their future. They allow them to appoint someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf or manage their legal affairs if they become unable to do so themselves.
There are two different types of LPA. One that covers property and finances – allowing the appointed person to manage their bank accounts, pay bills or sell their house if needed. The other type covers decisions around health and welfare, such as living arrangements, medical care and wellbeing.
Some signs that it may be time to consider an LPA for your relatives:
- They are struggling to mange their paperwork, forgetting to pay bills, struggling with online banking or ignoring letters that come in the post
- You notice that they are more forgetful than usual, or they are becoming confused by day-to-day task that they would have normally been fine with
- They are expressing concerns themselves about managing their affairs
- They are having issues getting themselves dressed, moving around, taking medication or are starting to suffer from falls and accidents
- There is a family history of dementia
- They have mental health problems, suffer from medication side effects, brain injury, or have a history of drug or alcohol misuse
- They have a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s or another condition that impacts their brain health
Getting Legal Advice for Your Loved Ones
Whether the topic of Wills and LPAs comes up over the Christmas table, or you sadly identify that a loved one needs to start getting their affairs in order over the festive celebrations, Barker Booth & Eastwood are here to help.
Get in touch with our friendly team, who would be happy to make an initial appointment for you and your relative in the New Year.
Call us on 01253 362500 or email info@bbelaw.co.uk.
