The 4 C's of Meeting with Older Clients

Our population is aging. In 1980, the median age of the U.S. population was 30 years of age. As of 2017, the median age in the United States is 38. It is no longer unheard of for people to reach their 100th birthday and beyond.

As our loved ones age, however, they often need more of our time and assistance to manage their affairs. Yet, while we are trying to help out our aging loved ones, we may also have kids at home who also need our attention. Welcome to the Sandwich Generation.

Those in the Sandwich Generation are middle-aged adults who are not only caring for their own children but also caring for their aging parents. It is a difficult task, and kudos to those of you who handle it with grace and dignity.

A lot of us in the Sandwich Generation - myself included - find ourselves accompanying our parents to all sorts of different appointments. My father sees a neurologist in Chapel Hill on a regular basis and I dutifully go with him to each one.

So, I get it. It's what we do.

Still, if you are bringing your parent to Privette Legacy Planning for an initial estate planning consultation with me and I kindly ask you to remain outside in the reception area for part of the time, please understand it isn't personal. I am not disparaging your character. I am not trying to drive a wedge between you and your parent. I understand your parent likely had you come to the meeting because he or she draws comfort from your presence. I know your parent probably wants you to listen in and help remember all of the important information because two sets of ears are better than one. I recognize that your parent may want your input or your approval of certain decisions. I really do get it. And I sympathize with your situation.

But, I have a job to do. And part of my job is to make sure a proper foundation exists for your parent to be able to execute legal documents.

Enter the 4 C's:

I am ethically bound to make sure each one of the four C's are adhered to, and I can only do that if I have one-on-one time with your parent. The last thing any of us want is for these documents to be overturned in a legal challenge!

Help me protect your parent and respect the process!