You may feel you need clear signs of a potential problem before getting involved in your parents' financial matters. Here are a few to consider:
Have you noticed any lifestyle changes? Has your movie-buff Dad suddenly stopped going to the movies? If so, maybe it's because he feels he can't afford that kind of spending anymore.
Questionable use of retirement funds? Have your parents dipped into their savings for unnecessary big-ticket items?
Trouble paying bills? Has the phone or electricity been cut off, even briefly, recently?
Are your parents taking care of themselves? Is your mom not buying a new pair of glasses, even though it's clear she's having trouble reading? Does the refrigerator seem bare when you visit?
Is there a new love interest on the scene? It's OK to take an active interest in your parent's romantic life. A new love could be a blessing—or it could not, depending on how it affects a parent's thinking on the subject of his or her will.
