I trust that this will find you well and enjoying life.
You raised them, helped them get through school, and now your children are on their own. Or are they? Even adult children sometimes need financial help. But if your child asks you for a loan, don’t pull out your checkbook until you’ve examined the financial and emotional costs. Start the process by considering a few key questions.
Lenders ask applicants to clearly state the purpose for the loan, and you should too. Like any lender, you need to decide whether the loan purpose is reasonable. If your child is a chronic borrower, frequently overspends, or wants to use the money you’re lending to pay past due bills, watch out. You might be enabling poor financial decision making. On the other hand, if your child is usually responsible and needs the money for a purpose you support, you may feel about agreeing to the loan.
It’s natural to want to help your child, but you also want to avoid jeopardizing your child’s independence. If you step in to help, will your child lean on you the next time too? And no matter how well intentioned you are, the flip side of protecting your child from financial struggles is that your child may never get to experience the satisfaction that comes with successfully navigating financial challenges.
Perhaps you can afford to lend money right now, but look ahead a bit. What will happen if you find yourself in unexpected financial circumstances before the loan is repaid? If you’re loaning a significant sum and you’re close to retirement, will you have the opportunity to make up the amount? If you decide to loan your child money, be sure it’s an amount that you could afford to lose and don’t take money from your retirement account.
One potential downside to loaning your child money is the family tension it may cause. When a financial institution loans money to someone, it’s all business and the repayment terms are clear cut. When you loan money to a relative, it’s personal and if expectations aren’t met, both your finances and your relationship with your child may be at risk.
For example, how will you feel if your child treats the debt casually? Even the most responsible child may occasionally forget to make a payment. Will you scrutinize your child’s financial decisions and feel obligated to give advice? Will you be okay with forgiving the loan if your child is unable to pay it back? And how will other family members react? For example, what if your spouse disagrees with your decision? Will other children feel as though you’re playing favorites?
Think like a lender. Take your responsibility and the borrower’s, seriously. Putting loan terms in writing sounds too businesslike to some parents, but doing so can help set expectations. You can draft a loan contract that spells out the loan amount, the interest rate, and a repayment schedule. To avoid playing the role of parent turned debt collector, consider asking your child to set up automatic monthly transfers from his or her checking account to yours.
Having loan documentation may be necessary to meet IRS requirements. If you’re lending your child a significant amount, prepare a promissory note that details the loan amount, repayment schedule, collateral, and loan terms, and includes an interest rate that is at least equal to the applicable federal rate set by the IRS. Doing so may help ensure that the IRS doesn’t deem the loan a gift and potentially subject you to gift and estate tax consequences. You or your child may need to meet certain requirements too, if the loan proceeds will be used for a home down payment or a mortgage. The rules and consequences can be complex so ask a legal or tax professional for information on your individual circumstances.
If you decide to say no, consider offering other types of help. Your support matters to your child, even if it doesn’t come in the form of a loan. For example, you might consider making a smaller, no strings attached gift to your child that doesn’t have to be repaid, or offer to pay a bill or two for a short period of time.
Don’t feel guilty. If you have serious reservations about making the loan, don’t. Remember, your financial stability is just as important as your child’s and a healthy relationship is something that money can’t buy.
If we can help in any way with this or anything else related to retirement don’t hesitate to contact us.
Best regards.
Jeff Christian CFP, CRPC