Is there anything he can do now to, at the minimum, ensure he has a clear record of all her accounts?

So unfortunately, if a parent refuses to give up any information, the child doesn't necessarily have any more ability to get that information than you or I do.

I think at this point, if a parent is refusing to have the conversation, it's really best for the child to try to determine why this is the case.

And again, that would give them the tools to build an effective case for persuading the their parents.

So again, if privacy is the issue or they're concerned about maintaining harmony among the children or just kind of figuring out what the concern is by asking questions, then they're equipped to answer and kind of help their parent understand why the estate plan needs to take place.

Having a document checklist for this particular situation would be very helpful.

And a document checklist or an estate plan checklist provides an opportunity for parents the parent to list any assets out that they have.

So what are some key takeaways for adult children who are struggling to have this conversation with their own parents?