When my parents were about 10 years from retirement, they did something that —at the time—felt unusual. They started holding family meetings.

It wasn’t about sharing every dollar amount or portfolio detail. It was about life.

Where they envisioned living. How they wanted to spend their time. What should happen if either of them faced a health challenge. The kind of legacy they wanted to leave.

As their daughter, I knew where important documents were, who to call, and—most importantly—what they wanted. Those conversations meant there was no guessing, no second-guessing, and no stress hanging over us when decisions needed to be made.

When my dad passed, those early talks became a gift. We weren’t scrambling to find paperwork. We weren’t wondering what his wishes were. We could focus on being together as a family and celebrating his life, because the hard decisions had already been made.

That experience shaped how I work with clients today. Helping them:

• - Prepare for retirement with clarity and confidence.
• - Involve their adult children so the next generation knows the plan.
• - Host family meetings that make important conversations easier and more productive.

Because when you start 5–10 years before retirement, you have the time to prepare—not just for your future, but for the people who will walk alongside you.