Estate Planning · For adult children helping their parents
Helping your parents get this done, without taking it over.
You can start the conversation, join the meetings by video from wherever you live, and make sure it actually gets finished. Your parents remain the clients, and their wishes run the plan. That's the law, and it's also what makes the plan hold up.
How the Family Plan works
- You start it. Call us, tell us about your parents, and book the first conversation. We'll send a short guide on how to raise the subject with them.
- They decide. The design meeting is with your parents. You're welcome in the room or on video, and we'll make sure everyone understands the options. The decisions are theirs.
- Everyone hears the plan. At signing, the whole family can join. Bobby walks through the plain-English summary: who is in charge, who receives what, where the documents are.
- It gets finished. Deeds recorded, accounts retitled, a Funding Verified certificate at 90 days. You'll know it's done because we'll show you.
- It stays current. The Maintenance Plan reviews everything yearly and can be paid for by a child, with your parents' consent.
The rules, in plain English
When a child arranges or pays for a parent's estate plan, Missouri's rules for lawyers require three things, and they protect everyone:
- Your parent is the client. We take direction from them, and we'll meet with them alone for part of the process to confirm the plan is what they want.
- Their information is confidential, even from the person paying, unless they tell us to share it.
- They consent in writing to you paying or participating.
This is what makes a plan stand up later if anyone questions it. A plan a parent made freely, with a lawyer who confirmed it, is a plan that holds.
Before the first meeting
Three things that make it go well.
Have the conversation, gently
Most parents want this done; they don't want to be managed. "I'd feel better knowing you have what you want in writing" works better than "you need a trust."
Gather what exists
Any old will or trust, the deed to the house, a list of accounts and where they are, and the names of people they'd trust to be in charge.
Expect an honest answer
Many of the parents we meet don't need a trust. A will, a recorded beneficiary deed and clean beneficiary designations may do the job. We'll say so.
How it works
About three weeks, with you on video for any step you want.
- STEP 1
You call
A 15-minute call about your parents' situation. We book the design meeting at a time that works for everyone.
- STEP 2
Design meeting
Your parents meet with Bobby. You join by video or in person. They leave with a decision and a written fee.
- STEP 3
Signing day
Witnesses and notary at our office. Family on video welcome. The summary is read through together.
- STEP 4
Funding Verified
Deeds recorded, accounts retitled, checked at 90 days. You get the certificate too, with your parents' permission.
How we charge
The plan is priced as the plan your parents choose, flat fee, quoted in writing. If a child pays, we need the parent's written consent, and the fee is the same.
Common questions
General information about Missouri law, not advice about your situation.
My parent has early memory problems. Can they still sign?
Possibly. The legal question is whether they understand what they're signing at the time they sign it. Bobby assesses that in person and will tell you honestly if it's too late for a plan and what the alternatives are, such as a court-supervised guardianship or conservatorship.
Can I be the one in charge?
If your parents choose you, yes. We'll explain the roles (agent under a power of attorney, personal representative, successor trustee) so they can decide who fits each one.
My siblings don't agree. What then?
The plan is your parents' decision, not a family vote. A plan they made freely with a lawyer who confirmed their wishes is the best protection against a dispute later.
Can I pay for it as a gift?
Yes, with your parent's written consent. Their information stays confidential, and we take direction only from them. Many families do this around the holidays.
Start the conversation
Call us first. We'll send you the guide to raising it with your parents, and book a time that works for everyone.