19 Things You Don’t Want to Leave Behind for Your Kids
As parents, it's natural to want to leave behind something meaningful for your children, whether it’s financial security, memories, or a sense of love. However, there are certain things you should avoid leaving behind that could burden your children or complicate their lives after you pass.
From unresolved debts to unorganized affairs, here’s a list of 19 things you should take care of before it’s too late.
Unpaid Debts
Leaving debt behind can put immense financial pressure on your kids. If you pass away with outstanding debts, your children may be held responsible for them, especially if you didn’t have a plan in place.
It’s important to settle debts while you can or ensure they are covered by life insurance or other assets. This way, your kids aren’t saddled with financial worries after you’re gone.
Unclear Will
A vague or outdated will can lead to confusion and disputes. An unclear or incomplete will leaves room for misunderstandings, arguments, and even legal battles among your children.
It's crucial to ensure your will is up-to-date, legally sound, and clearly outlines how you want your assets distributed. This prevents your kids from dealing with the stress of sorting out your estate during an emotional time.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Unresolved Family Feuds
Leaving unresolved conflicts can perpetuate family divisions. If there are unresolved conflicts or grudges between family members, leaving them unaddressed can create rifts after your passing.
Your children may inherit not only your assets but also the emotional baggage of these disputes. Try to resolve conflicts while you’re still around, or at least communicate your wishes clearly in your will.
Burdensome Material Possessions
Don’t leave your kids with items they don’t want or need. Accumulating a lot of possessions can leave your children overwhelmed and burdened with the task of sorting through your things.
If your children don’t have a connection to certain items, they may not want them, which can add unnecessary stress. Consider downsizing or gifting items to loved ones ahead of time to avoid overwhelming your family.
Unfinished Projects
Leaving unfinished projects can create unnecessary pressure. Whether it’s a renovation project, an uncompleted novel, or an ongoing hobby, unfinished projects can cause stress for your children.
They may feel obligated to finish what you started, even if they’re not interested. Try to wrap up any major projects before you pass or clearly communicate your wishes about them in your will.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Complex Legal Affairs
Unresolved legal matters can lead to a long, drawn-out process. If you leave behind complicated legal matters, like lawsuits or unfinalized contracts, your children might find themselves stuck in lengthy and costly battles.
To avoid this, work with a lawyer to ensure everything is in order and all legal matters are resolved.
Unpaid Taxes
Outstanding taxes can create legal and financial headaches. Unpaid taxes, especially if they go unnoticed, can quickly become a nightmare for your children.
They might be left with the responsibility of dealing with the IRS or state tax authorities. Be proactive about your taxes, and consult a financial advisor to ensure everything is in order before your death.
Excessive Insurance Policies
Leaving behind unnecessary insurance policies can create confusion. Having too many life insurance policies can complicate the process for your beneficiaries.
It’s important to review your insurance regularly and eliminate unnecessary or redundant policies. This way, your children aren’t left trying to figure out a maze of insurance paperwork during a time of grief.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
No Instructions for Funeral Wishes
Not having clear funeral instructions can cause stress and conflict. Your children should not have to guess your funeral wishes or deal with disagreements over how you should be laid to rest.
Make sure to communicate your preferences in advance, whether it’s burial or cremation, and where you want your funeral to be held. This will save them from making difficult decisions during a hard time.
Financial Insecurity
Leaving your children financially unprepared can be a huge burden. If your financial affairs aren’t in order, your children may inherit more problems than assets.
This includes not just your debts, but also the lack of savings or emergency funds. Ensure that you have a financial plan in place to provide for your children or make arrangements like life insurance to offer some support.
Emotional Baggage
Leaving unresolved emotional issues can impact your children’s mental health. If you’ve experienced trauma or mental health struggles that were never addressed, your children may inherit emotional burdens.
Work on healing and seek professional help if necessary. By addressing emotional issues, you’ll reduce the weight they may carry after you’re gone.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Messy Financial Records
Unorganized finances can leave your children scrambling to understand your assets.
If your finances are disorganized, your children will be left in a difficult situation when it’s time to sort through your estate.
Keep your financial records up-to-date and easy to access, and consider using a professional to help manage your investments and taxes to ensure a smooth transition.
Strained Relationships with Grandparents
Family tensions can trickle down and affect your children’s lives. If you’ve had a strained relationship with your parents or in-laws, leaving unresolved issues can burden your children.
The lack of familial harmony can trickle down, affecting the next generation. If possible, work on mending relationships, or at least leave clear instructions about how to handle family matters after your passing.
A Lack of Health Care Directives
Without health care directives, your children may face difficult decisions. Failing to have health care directives or a living will can place your children in the difficult position of making critical decisions on your behalf.
Clearly outline your wishes for medical treatment and end-of-life care, so they aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
No Digital Will
Leaving digital assets unaddressed can create confusion. In today’s digital age, leaving behind a list of online accounts, passwords, and digital assets is essential.
Without this information, your children may struggle to access important files or manage your online presence. Ensure you leave instructions on how to handle your digital life after you're gone.
Lack of Emotional Preparation
Failing to emotionally prepare your kids can leave them unprepared for your passing. While no one can truly be ready for a loss, leaving behind open conversations about your death can help your children prepare emotionally.
Consider talking to them about what to expect and providing them with tools to cope with the grief they will face.
Negative Assets
Leaving toxic or financially burdensome assets can create stress. Certain assets, like a poorly managed business or real estate property with ongoing legal issues, can create problems for your kids.
Before you pass, either take care of these assets or make sure they’re properly managed and no longer burdensome.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Guilt-Inducing Expectations
Setting unrealistic expectations after your death can weigh heavily on your kids. Some parents leave behind expectations or instructions that place pressure on their children.
Whether it’s continuing a family legacy or taking care of a specific obligation, ensure your children are not burdened with guilt-inducing tasks. Let them live their lives without feeling they have to fulfill unspoken expectations.
Unresolved Wishes for Property
Ambiguity about property distribution can spark conflict among heirs. If you leave behind a property without clear instructions about who should inherit it, your children may end up fighting over it.
Create a will that specifies who gets what and ensure the process is as simple as possible. Clarifying these details will avoid family disputes that could leave lasting scars.
More from IEPMommy
- Younger Workers Refuse to Follow These 15 Outdated Office Rules
- Stop Saying These 18 Overused Phrases That Drive People Up the Wall
- The Harsh Realities Boomers Lived That Millennials Didn’t Have to Face
- 17 Things Kids Had to Follow in the 70s That Sound Unreal Today
- 19 Old-Fashioned Beliefs That Boomers Cling to but Are Harmful Today
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
