It is National Estate Planning Awareness Week and we want to remind you how important it is to talk with the next generation.

Do your loved ones know what you plan to leave them when you pass away? Do they know who to contact when something happens? While no one likes to think about these things, fewer surprises will make estate administration much easier to handle when the time comes.

Consider drafting a letter of instruction to your children and fiduciaries. Be sure to include an inventory of assets and a list containing contact information of your estate planning attorney and financial advisor. Easy access to this information can save your family a lot of stress in an already difficult time. Be sure to regularly update the information, as family and financial circumstances are bound to change over time.