If you don’t yet have a will or a trust you are not alone. It is estimated that over 60% of the U.S. does not have a will or trust. For the 40% who have a will, the majority are older – 72+ years old. This fact makes sense because we tend to think about end-of-life planning more as we age. This way of thinking that you are too young to need a will fails to recognize that not all of us make it to old age.
Unintentional fatal injuries are the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., with millions in the U.S dying each year from accidental falls, crashes, malpractice and other causes. Here are other common reasons why people delay their wills & trusts:
- I am not wealthy enough to need a will – This is one of the most common and widespread misconceptions. Rich or poor, everyone needs a will to provide instructions on how their property, belongings, keepsakes, family heirlooms and other personal possessions are to be distributed amongst your loved ones.
- I don’t have any children or dependents – If you don’t have a spouse or children, then in your will you can designate other surviving family members & significant others as a beneficiary of your estate. Even if you have no beneficiaries, through the process of estate planning you can choose to send any assets you own to charities you want upon your passing.
- Estate planning is too much work – The time & effort it takes to create a will can vary greatly depending on the level of detail you wish to go into. If you want to keep it simple & straightforward, that is something we can help you with.
- Estate planning is too expensive – Hiring an estate planning lawyer will cost money, but often people fail to consider the cost of not creating a will. The probate process is time-consuming & expensive when the state court has to get involved, which ultimately reduces how much the deceased person’s surviving loved ones are able to receive. Neglecting to create a will now will cost your loved ones later.
- I am uncomfortable sharing personal information – Estate planning can be uncomfortable & difficult for some people, especially when deciding how to distribute their wealth to loved ones. However, facing these discomforts now will help avoid more uncertainty later on if you were to pass away without a will or trust.
- I don’t need a will – For those who don’t understand the real benefits of estate planning often tend to push aside this important process, believing it to be an unnecessary and costly step they can aovid. However, ignoring the problem is not an option when it comes to end-of-life planning since without a will, a probate court will hand out your assets how they seem fit.
At Huelat & Mack P.C., we will take the time to listen to your afterlife plans and manage the estate planning process to be as smooth as possible. With our years of experience & knowledge, we are fully prepared to help guide you through the process & provide the resources you need to make informed decisions that are best for you and your family.