National Estate Planning Awareness Week 2025: Why the Sandwich Generation Needs to Tackle Estate Planning Now

Caught in the Middle: If you find yourself constantly juggling the needs of your aging parents and the demands of your own children, congratulations (and commiserations) – you're part of the Sandwich Generation.

It's a demanding place to be. You’re the linchpin, the primary caregiver, the financial support system, and the logistical coordinator for two generations simultaneously. With so many immediate plates spinning, it’s easy to push the less urgent, yet critically important, task of estate planning to the very bottom of the to-do list.

But here’s the truth: Being in the Sandwich Generation makes establishing an estate plan more urgent, not less. Here’s why you need to carve out time for this crucial step, and what you need to consider.

1. You Are Now the Primary Decision Maker (For Everyone)

For your parents, you might already be their point person for medical emergencies or financial discussions. But what happens if you are suddenly unavailable?

• For Your Children: If you have minor children, who will raise them? Who will manage the money you leave for their education and well-being? Without a Will, a court will decide, and that decision might not align with your wishes.

• For Your Parents: If your parents need full-time care or can no longer manage their affairs, who steps in? If you haven't been legally designated via a Power of Attorney or Healthcare Proxy, your siblings (or other relatives) might face difficult, time-consuming, and expensive legal battles to gain the authority to manage their care, all while you're incapacitated.

The takeaway: An estate plan isn't just about what happens when you pass away; it’s about establishing guardianship and decision-making authority for everyone you are currently responsible for.

2. Protecting the Assets You're Trying to Build

Many in the Sandwich Generation are hitting their prime earning years. You might have a mortgage, retirement savings goals, college funds for your kids, and perhaps even assets being used to support your parents.

If you pass away without a Will or the correct beneficiary designations, your assets can be tied up in probate—a public, often slow, and expensive legal process. This delay can create immediate financial strain on your surviving spouse and put your ability to support your children and parents in jeopardy.

Key Documents to Focus On:

• Will: Dictates who receives your property and, most importantly for parents, names a guardian for minor children.

• Trusts: Can help avoid probate and manage the distribution of assets over time, ensuring money isn't given outright to a young adult or used inappropriately.

• Beneficiary Designations: Check your life insurance policies and retirement accounts (like 401(k)s or IRAs). These pass outside of your Will, so ensuring the designated person is up-to-date is vital.

3. The Double-Duty of Caregiving Documents

This is where the "Sandwich" truly impacts your planning. You need documents in place for both directions:

• For Your Parents (Looking Up): Ensure you have copies of, or access to, your parents' Advance Healthcare Directives and Financial Powers of Attorney. If they don't have them, gently—but firmly—encourage them to create them now. This spares you the nightmare of fighting for medical access later.

• For Yourself (Looking Down): Create your own documents so your spouse or designated trustee can step in for you immediately if you are hospitalized or severely ill.

Being Members of the Sandwich Generation Doesn't Have to Be Overwhelming

The thought of estate planning can feel like admitting defeat or facing mortality, but think of it as the ultimate act of caregiving and responsibility. You are securing the future stability of the two generations who rely on you.

Your First Three Steps:

1. Designate Guardians: Decide who would raise your children if you couldn't. This is the most non-negotiable part.

2. Appoint an Executor/Trustee: Choose the responsible person who will handle your finances and estate according to your wishes.

3. Schedule a Consult: Book an appointment with an estate planning attorney. They can tailor a package to your complex family structure, saving you time and confusion down the road.

You handle the day-to-day chaos of being the bridge between generations with grace. Take one hour this month to plan for the "what if." It’s the most generous thing you can do for the people you love.

Legal Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with an estate planning attorney to address your specific concerns.