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Based on a 2011 U.S. study by ForbesWoman and the National Endowment for Financial Education, 59% of parents financially support their adult children who are no longer in school. Clearly a great deal has changed in the past 60 years.

We continually hear the tale of adult children struggling to live a financially independent life.

In some cases, the money is simply running out

What has been out of focus, but is becoming more common again, is the case of adult children supporting their parents.

Even with the changes in pensions, for those that are living into their late 80s and 90s, in some cases, the money is simply running out. This usually comes up when we ask middle aged clients the question “Outside of yourselves, do you see your parents as being an added expense over time or are they financially independent. If independent, are you likely to receive a meaningful estate?”

The answers to this question range across the map.

When adult children ask us about supporting their parents, I ask first if they can afford to help and if so, by how much. I also ask if there are other family members that are able to contribute.

This, of course, is just scratching the surface of the issues. When someone needs financial help, one of the questions is why? Today, when adult children have to support their parents financially, some questions and issues might include: why didn’t my parents save better, why do they spend money they don’t have, are they too proud to ask for help, why should I help if my siblings can’t, they didn’t support me or weren’t there for me so why should I be there for them?