Should You Have a Family Meeting?

Eeek… Just hearing the words “family meeting” can make you cringe, right? Most of us don’t have great memories of them. They’re usually called in response to conflict—especially when kids are involved—or to address topics no one really wants to talk about. And once the kids move out, these meetings seem to disappear altogether.

But ironically, that’s exactly when a family meeting becomes most important.

I remember a couple who attended one of our retirement classes a few years back. After the final session, they came up to chat. The husband confidently shared his retirement plans: “In two years, we’re selling the house and moving to Colorado…” He kept going until his wife finally interrupted, clearly frustrated: “And when were you planning to tell me all of this?”

We chuckled—but the truth is, this kind of miscommunication happens all the time. Life gets busy. Couples head off to work in separate cars, spend hours apart, and naturally start thinking independently about their goals and dreams. If this kind of disconnect can happen between spouses, imagine what can happen within the wider family.

Your adult children are now navigating their own lives. Do you still share the same values, concerns, or hopes for the future? Do you even talk about them? Probably not. And that’s where the problem begins.

You’re still a family—but as time goes on, the unspoken topics only grow heavier. End-of-life wishes, long-term care plans, financial responsibilities, medical decisions, and estate plans—these are tough subjects. But avoiding them doesn’t make them go away. In fact, silence can lead to confusion, stress, and conflict down the road.

Ask yourself:

• Do your children understand and agree with your healthcare and end-of-life preferences?
• Have you communicated who will handle finances or medical decisions if you’re unable to?
• Does your estate plan support family unity after you’re gone?
• Conversely, do you know what your children would want or need in a crisis?

If these questions make you uncomfortable, that’s all the more reason to have the conversation now. A family meeting can prevent confusion and heartache later. Yes, it may feel awkward at first—but being proactive today protects your relationships tomorrow.

And here’s the good news: You don’t have to do it alone. We’ve helped many families have these conversations, and we understand how emotional they can be. But we also know how powerful they are.

So, the real question is this: Will you take the step? Will you help your family continue to live Life on purpose?