Caring for both young children and aging parents can stretch you thin. If you’re part of this “sandwich generation,” you’re managing doctor’s appointments, school drop-offs, bills, medications—and somehow still trying to plan for the future. It’s a lot. But there are steps you can take to make things more manageable, and the right legal support can help you stay on track.
At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., we work with many families just like yours. With thoughtful planning, you can protect your loved ones on both ends of the age spectrum—and take some pressure off yourself in the process.
Building a Plan That Protects Everyone
Estate planning isn’t just for retirees or people with large estates. If you have parents who may need care soon and children who rely on you, it’s time to get a plan in place.
We’ll help you create or update a will that reflects your current family needs. A trust can ensure assets are used the way you intend, whether that’s supporting your children’s education or covering care for a parent. And it’s important to name a guardian for your kids in case something happens to you.
It’s also smart to include provisions that allow for the support of an aging parent, especially if you’re helping with their living expenses or housing. Beneficiary designations on life insurance or retirement accounts should also be reviewed—especially if they haven’t been updated in years.
When all of this is in writing, your loved ones won’t be left guessing or scrambling during a difficult time.
Helping You Make the Right Financial Decisions
You may already be helping your parents with their finances, and you’re likely budgeting for your children’s needs as well. Legal tools can support you in both roles.
- A durable power of attorney gives someone you trust the ability to manage finances if you become unavailable.
- A revocable living trust lets you manage assets during your lifetime and makes things easier for your family if something happens to you.
- Long-term care planning can help protect family assets if a parent eventually needs nursing home care.
We’ll guide you through your options and help put safeguards in place. We can also coordinate with your accountant or financial advisor so that your legal and financial plans work together to support your goals.
Preparing for Health Care Decisions
Medical decisions can be difficult, especially in an emergency. That’s why we recommend having documents like:
- A health care proxy to name someone who can speak on your behalf
- A living will to express your wishes about life-sustaining treatment
- HIPAA authorizations so that your family can access medical information if needed
These tools allow you to make your voice heard and give others the ability to step in when necessary. If your parents don’t already have these in place, we can help you encourage them to plan as well.
Guardianship and Conservatorship: Planning vs. Court Involvement
When someone can’t make decisions for themselves—due to age, illness, or incapacity—the court may need to get involved through guardianship or conservatorship. That process can be time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining.
By planning in advance, you can avoid court involvement altogether. Legal documents like powers of attorney and trusts allow you to name decision-makers in advance. But if court involvement becomes necessary, we can guide you through the steps and help you file for guardianship or conservatorship properly.
Planning ahead means you stay in control. It also helps prevent conflict within the family if something unexpected happens.
Finding Balance Through Legal Strategy
Being stretched between the needs of aging parents and dependent children takes more than just energy—it takes a plan. Legal planning doesn’t remove all the stress, but it gives you a structure to lean on.
We’re here to support families with more than just documents. We can help organize family meetings, encourage open communication, and build backup plans in case something changes down the line. These steps can ease tensions and reduce the chance of disputes.
Protect the People Who Count on You
If you’re trying to care for two generations at once, we understand the pressure you’re under. At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., we’ll help you build a plan that protects your family and gives you more breathing room. Call us today to start putting a plan in place that works for everyone.