How to Talk to Your Family About Inheritance

Beyond the general discomfort of talking about death, the topic of inheritance brings in a whole other set of sticky issues. As for you, communicating about your bequest gives you the opportunity to express not just the materials but also the values you hope to pass on—and this act of articulating your legacy has been found to be a vital and rewarding part of an adult’s life. Or did you appreciate how a loved one explained their plans to divide things equally among heirs to avoid family conflict over material goods? Furthermore, many will find they leave a legacy of values, which they may transmit not only through their lived experiences but also with their bequest. Some people find it easier to have individual conversations with heirs, but also consider how and when you might want to extend the conversation to all inheritors.