How to Talk to Your Kids About Your Estate Plan

As CPA financial planners, we often encounter a painful reality: adult children who are surprised, or even hurt, by their parents’ estate plans—after it’s too late for discussion. In this episode, Cary Sinnett speaks with Kelley Long, a respected fee-only financial wellness coach and former bank trust officer, about how proactive communication can help families preserve relationships and honor intentions.

Kelley offers practical, thoughtful strategies for advisors to help clients initiate and navigate these conversations. Topics include:

• The ideal timing for involving heirs in estate planning discussions
• Balancing fairness and transparency, especially when distributions are unequal
• How to help clients overcome the fear of conflict or entitlement
• The importance of framing the conversation around values and legacy, rather than specific financial details
• The role of ethical wills in clarifying intent and reducing misunderstandings

Key Insight:

Estate planning is not just a legal or financial process—it’s a relational one. When clients are supported in sharing their intentions and values clearly, the outcome is not just a smoother transition of wealth, but a stronger foundation for family unity.

Resources:

Guide: The Adviser’s Guide to Financial & Estate Planning – 15th Ed – Vol. 1

Podcast: Estate planning conversations all clients need to have now

This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program.

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