Many adults today are navigating two important roles at once: caring for their children and for their aging parents. The “sandwich generation” often finds itself balancing parenthood, careers, caregiving responsibilities, medical concerns, and difficult conversations about the future. While this role comes from a place of love, it can be a lot to carry. Thoughtful estate planning helps ease some of that weight, ensuring caregivers can provide for everyone in their family.
When two generations depend on you emotionally and financially, your estate plan needs to protect them both. Caregiver burnout is prevalent among people in this situation, so it is equally important to reach out for assistance and make sure you have the right support in place.
PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN
While it is difficult to imagine being unable to care for and support your children, your plan should clearly state who you trust to raise them if something were to happen to you and your spouse. Designating a guardian for minor children is one of the most important steps to take. You should carefully consider who has the best ability to take on this responsibility, in terms of health, location, family relationships, and their current duties.
The next decision you will need to make is how you will financially provide for their care. A trust can be an effective structure for long-term protection. Instead of leaving money to your children outright, a trust can hold those assets until they reach an age when they are mature enough to manage their own funds. You can also name a trustee to oversee their inheritances.
If you have a child with special needs, your plan should include provisions to ensure they receive long-term financial support without jeopardizing eligibility for important government benefits. Trust planning can also help preserve assets for your children’s future by protecting inheritances from creditors, lawsuits, or divorce.
PLANNING FOR AGING PARENTS
Your parents may already have an estate plan, but you should work with them to review it for any outdated or incomplete documents. If you are not already named as their trustee and financial power of attorney, ensure that the information is updated. While many in the sandwich generation are saving for their own retirement and their children’s care, long-term care costs for aging parents add another layer of financial responsibility.
Preparing before your parents experience a major health change, like dementia or a stroke, will ensure you can make medical decisions on their behalf when it matters most. A healthcare directive and HIPAA authorization allow you to speak with medical providers about their care, treatment, records, and endof-
life wishes. Having these conversations with your parents early on is key; if their cognitive abilities decline, the options become more limited.
RESOURCES FOR YOU
Whether you are helping aging parents navigate healthcare decisions, exploring long-term care options, or planning for future needs, having experienced guidance can make the process feel less overwhelming.
Our team can help connect families with resources and strategies to address many of the challenges that arise as parents age. We are also fortunate to have Geriatric Care Manager Dedra Jize on our team. Dedra can assist with care coordination, home safety issues, and Medi-Cal planning for long-term
nursing home care.
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges as they care for their children and parents. At Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, we know how much this can be to take on. Estate planning is a way to ensure your loved ones are protected and that you also have support and peace of mind. Please feel free to reach out to our office to learn how we can help.
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- Turning Fear into Peace of Mind: Meet Associate Attorney Andrew Morris - August 19, 2026
- Should You Put Your Home in a Trust? - August 5, 2026
