One trend that’s been growing during The Pandemic is “multi-generational living arrangements.”

Where you have multiple generations living in one home (or one property, like a duplex for example).

Specifically in our hometown areas around Southern California, some cities have loosened zoning restrictions, to allow more “granny flats” or “back houses.”  (Of course we’re not permitting experts, so you’d have to check that on your end before proceeding.)

Whether it’s for economic or health reasons, when Mom and Dad or other, older members of the family move in and there are multiple generations “present” in the home.

This can be and often is a beautiful thing as the generations learn from each other!

Here below are important some things to keep in mind as it relates to maintaining your legal and financial footing if you find yourself in a multi-generation living situation…

Pronto Income Tax Team’s
“Real World” Personal Strategy Note
How To Financially Handle Multiple Generations at Home
“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” – Brian Tracy

There used to be a time when families with elderly parents, young children (and everything in between) living together all in one house was much more common than it has been in recent years. 

So when 2020 came calling and all kinds of situations changed, many families have been unprepared for how to handle it — simply because “models” are much less plentiful.

This shift can feel like a blessing or a burden. And depending on your perspective, it can feel like a double-whammy.

Certainly, as with children, it’s always a better idea to focus on the benefits of more time with your parents, etc. … but yes, we’ve seen many times how this can put major strain on a family.

From what we’ve observed of adults thrust into the role of caring for their parents, the biggest struggle often comes from trying to keep their dual responsibilities segregated.  Namely, they try to ensure that the needs of the aging parent don’t impact what’s going on in their children’s lives.

As an example, the adult children feel like they have to choose between making sure that Mom takes a walk for exercise, or helping a child with virtual learning. No matter what the adult parent chooses, he or she often feels like a failure at everything.

What you need to realize is that this process is not something you can keep separated in your life. You’ll do your family a great service by viewing it as an experience to be shared with everyone in the family, and maybe even with some members of the outside community (if medically possible).

If you find yourself in this situation, here are three practical tips we can offer:

1) Get the actual financial facts.
You may have avoided talking with your parents about finances in the past. Whether you were taught that those things are private or “it just never came up,” now is not the time for surprises. You need to know how your parents are doing financially and whether they’ve made any provisions in case they become ill or suffer a long-term disability.

2) Ensure the estate is set up correctly.
At this stage of your parent’s life it’s important to make sure that your parent’s legal house is in order. We can help make a recommendation to this end, if you need help.

Most experts consider the “bare minimum” of estate planning to include a financial power of attorney, an advance health care directive (a health care power of attorney plus a living will), and a simple will. 

Of course depending on your situation, you may want more than that (living trust, etc.) but at least keeping  in mind the basics if you’re starting out is super important.

3) Insure against the future?  Maybe.
Now is the time to examine long-term care insurance or assess whether savings will cover an extended nursing home stay, assisted living facility costs, or extended home care services. You may be tempted to begin to liquidate your holdings or to stop saving for your own benefit, in order to help pay for the cost of your parent’s care. This can be a big mistake. 

You may not be aware of this, but there aren’t nearly the same kind of government programs or lending scenarios that will help you pay for your kids, or their college, or fund your retirement — as there are programs to help support aging parents. And it’s vital that you continue to save for your retirement.

So, take advantage of those areas where there *is* assistance available, so that you can keep sight of your own goals.

Hopefully these tips are helpful to you if you’re involved in multi-generational living, or might be in the future.

Our friends at Porch.com offer a nice resource here about multigenerational living, called “Multigenerational Homes Are on the Rise. Here’s How to Make it Work for You,” which provides more details and ideas for this crucial topic.

Thanks as always!