Let’s be real—your 40s and 50s probably weren’t supposed to feel this… jam-packed, right? You’re juggling school lunches and sports practices, Zoom meetings and late-night emails. And on top of that? You’re helping your parents manage doctors’ appointments, medications, and their own financial future.
Welcome to the Sandwich Generation—that not-so-exclusive club of adults stuck between caring for their kids and their parents. And guess what? July is officially Sandwich Generation Month, so if you’re feeling the squeeze, you’re not alone. This month is about recognizing your reality—and giving you tools to make it more manageable.
One of the smartest tools in your toolbox? Estate planning. (Yep, even if it’s the last thing you feel like tackling.)
When’s the Right Time to Talk About It? (Spoiler: It’s Now.)
We get it—no one wants to talk about “what happens if…” But those are the conversations that make the biggest difference before there’s a crisis.
The best time to talk estate planning is when everyone’s healthy, coherent, and calm. When the hospital isn’t involved. When the emotions haven’t hijacked the conversation. When there’s still time to choose, instead of being forced to react.
Think of it like planning a family vacation—you wouldn’t just toss things in a bag and hope for the best (okay, maybe once… never again). With estate planning, a little prep means way fewer headaches later on.
Emotional Burnout Is Real—So Is Financial Burnout
Being sandwiched isn’t just stressful—it can be expensive. You might be funding summer camp and your mom’s new medication. You’re saving for retirement while helping your parents stretch theirs. And maybe—just maybe—you’re too busy keeping everyone else afloat to think about what happens if something happens to you.
Estate planning helps you:
- Set expectations
- Avoid ugly surprises
- Put clear instructions in place
- Keep your family out of court and out of conflict
Even a simple will or power of attorney can bring a huge wave of relief. Because when life throws a curveball (and let’s face it, it will), your family won’t be left guessing.
Making the Talk Less… Weird
Worried it’s going to be awkward? It probably will be. That’s okay. Humor helps. A casual walk, a car ride, or a random “What song do you want at your funeral?” joke (we vote classic rock) can crack open the conversation. You don’t have to solve everything in one go. You just have to start.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
If you feel like you’re doing the work of five people, here’s why:
- Roughly 2.5 million Americans are part of the Sandwich Generation
- 1 in 4 caregivers is supporting both a parent over 65 and a child under 18
- Sandwich generation caregivers are twice as likely to report financial stress—and far more likely to feel emotionally burned out
(Source: University of Michigan, 2022)
So no, it’s not just you. It’s real. It’s hard. And you deserve support.
How Shore Estate Law Can Help
Whether you’ve never created an estate plan or your last one was typed on a Windows 95 computer, we can help you clean it up, modernize it, and make sure it still fits your life. We help busy, caring, overwhelmed adults (like you) protect what matters most—without making you feel like you need a law degree to understand it.
Wills. Trusts. Healthcare directives. Guardianship plans. We’ll walk you through it all, one step at a time—with warmth, wit, and clarity.
Request a consultation and let’s make a plan that takes care of everyone—including you.
