Some people look forward to Thanksgiving all year long — the cranberry, the pumpkin, the pie, the rare reunion with family members you love.
for others, ‘tis the season of dread — awkward encounters with relatives you barely remember, labored small talk, and uncomfortable questions that border on the offensive. (Just remember: every family is different and none of them are perfect!)
As for our Middlesex County estate planning attorneys, we’re pretty enthusiastic about Thanksgiving and everything it represents. As a matter of fact, we think Thanksgiving and estate planning go hand in hand! 
If you’re looking for something to substitute for stuffy silence around the turkey table this year, allow us to suggest a conversation about everyone’s plans for the end of their life.
Sound a little more macabre than your typical bread-and-butter banter? We understand. But the reality is that you and your family need to talk about your estate plans. You can’t put it off forever, and Thanksgiving represents one of those rare opportunities when the whole family is gathered in the same room.
As a matter of fact, most experts suggest that families use a holiday gathering as the platform for a discussion about financial planning, long-term care, and end-of-life plans. Popular e-magazine The Street just ran an article on that very topic this week.
The key is to approach the topic with a friendly and non-combative tone. Remind everyone that this is something they need to talk about sooner or later, and since none of us know what might happen between now and next Thanksgiving, it’s best to seize the opportunity this year.
The good news is that, beyond the preliminary conversation, you can leave most of the worrying to the professionals. Let your family know that affordable and effective legal services are available to make sure that your estate plans put you in the best possible position for tomorrow.
The Middlesex County estate planning attorneys at O’Connell Law can take the tension out of Turkey Day with advice that your family can count on. Give us a call to talk strategies in advance of this year’s Thanksgiving feast, or feel free to contact us after the holiday to contemplate your next steps. Put the stress on our shoulders instead of yours. We’re here to help.
