
<p>No, future planning isn’t the most exciting thing on your to-do list. It&#8217;s right up there with cleaning behind the fridge or organizing your junk drawer. It’s easy to come up with reasons to delay estate planning (<a href="https://www.financialsense.com/blog/21022/alarming-estate-planning-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">about two thirds of Americans</a> can help you with that, if you need it).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-isn-t-a-strategy">Hope Isn’t a Strategy</h2>



<p>But here’s the thing: <em>avoiding</em> estate planning doesn’t mean life won’t sneak up on you. (In the form of a surprise bill, family drama, or health scare). So why do people delay estate planning? Here are 10 reasons—served with a chaser of humor to help it go down easier.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-i-m-too-young-for-that-stuff">1. “I’m Too Young for That Stuff”</h4>



<p>Ah yes, the classic <em>“I’m invincible!”</em> mindset. If you’re under 40, estate planning feels like something future-you will totally handle… after getting a house, a retirement plan, and maybe a life-threatening midlife crisis.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Imagine 30-year-old Alex, who thinks estate planning is for retirees with beachfront properties. Then Alex gets a dog and realizes, <em>“Wait—who takes care of Max?”</em></p>



<p>Spoiler: Estate planning isn’t just for the elderly—it’s for anyone who wants to take care of their stuff and loved ones (even the furry ones).</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-i-don-t-own-enough-to-bother">2. “I Don’t Own Enough to Bother”</h4>



<p>No mansion? Yacht? Swiss bank account? No problem, right? Wrong. Even if your biggest asset is that <em>rare</em> Beanie Baby collection, your belongings still matter.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Picture Jamie, who’s convinced their collection of vintage comic books isn’t worth sorting out. But to their brother? Those comics are <em>priceless</em>. Without a plan, those cherished pages might just end up forgotten in a garage sale.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-it-s-just-too-morbid">3. “It’s Just Too Morbid”</h4>



<p>Fair enough. Thinking about estate planning feels a little too close to thinking about…well, you know. So, people avoid it. But here’s the thing—planning for your estate doesn’t invite bad luck. (That’s what walking under ladders is for.)</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Meet Kelly, who refuses to draft a will because it feels like tempting fate. Meanwhile, fate is sitting there with a cup of coffee waiting for Kelly to realize that planning ahead doesn’t summon doom—it just saves a future headache.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-it-s-too-complicated">4. “It’s Too Complicated”</h4>



<p>Legal jargon can feel like reading a foreign language. <em>Testamentary capacity</em>, <em>executor</em>, <em>fiduciary duty</em>—it’s enough to make anyone’s eyes glaze over. But it’s not as complicated as it may at first seem.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Picture Sam, who fully planned to delay estate planning after ending up down a dark rabbit hole of Latin legal terms. But then he found out what a <a href="https://simplytrust.io/2547/what-is-a-revocable-trust/">revocable trust</a> is (a living trust), and he came back up into the sunlight.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-it-s-too-expensive">5. “It’s Too Expensive”</h4>



<p>Cue the fear of lawyer fees draining your bank account. But estate planning doesn’t always require an attorney and doesn’t have to be expensive—in fact, it’s more affordable (and important) than you might think.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Taylor does the delay estate planning things, thinking it’s too pricey. Then her family spends <em>thousands</em> dealing with probate court drama later. Irony’s a cruel friend.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-i-ll-get-to-it-later">6. “I’ll Get to It Later”</h4>



<p>Ah, procrastination—the ultimate reason people delay estate planning. You’ll do it next week. Or next month. Or after you finally finish that Netflix series.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Chris keeps pushing estate planning down the list—right after “organize spice rack” and “learn French.” It stays at the bottom of the list.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-my-family-will-figure-it-out">7. “My Family Will Figure It Out”</h4>



<p>Sure, because nothing brings a family closer than <em>fighting over Grandma’s casserole dish</em>. Assuming your family will magically sort things out is wishful thinking—and a recipe for drama.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Imagine a family feud over who gets the vintage china collection. Without a plan, Thanksgiving could turn into <em>The Hunger Games: Heirloom Edition</em>.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-i-don-t-have-time">8. “I Don’t Have Time”</h4>



<p>Who has time for estate planning when you’re busy juggling work, kids, pets, and maybe a hobby you haven’t touched since 2020?</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Meet Morgan—parent, full-time worker, and part-time chef in his own kitchen. Estate planning? No time. But—and it’s a big but—emergencies don’t care about Morgan’s schedule.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-i-can-t-decide-who-gets-what">9. “I Can’t Decide Who Gets What”</h4>



<p>Choosing heirs feels like an emotional landmine. Who gets what? Will someone feel left out?</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Imagine giving your nephew the gaming console instead of your brother—cue family drama. But without a plan, <em>no one</em> gets it without jumping through legal hoops.</p>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-everything-will-be-fine">10. “Everything Will Be Fine”</h4>



<p>The ultimate reason people delay estate planning: <em>blind optimism</em>. But estate planning isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s just about organizing.</p>



<p><strong>Scenario:</strong> Riley’s mantra is, “It’ll all work out.” Unfortunately, <em>hope</em> isn’t a strategy. A little planning now can save your loved ones a world of stress later.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-reason-to-delay-estate-planning">No Reason To Delay Estate Planning</h2>



<p>Here’s the truth: Delaying estate planning doesn’t make it go away—it just hands future-you (and your family) a big ol’ pile of problems. The good news? It doesn’t have to be scary, complicated, or expensive.</p>



<p></p>


10 Reasons People Delay Estate Planning


<p><span>Planning your estate is a vital step toward protecting your loved ones and honoring your wishes. But even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen. Let’s explore 20 of the most common estate planning mistakes—and how you can avoid them.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-not-having-an-estate-plan-at-all"><strong>1. Not Having an Estate Plan at All</strong></h4>



<p><span>It’s a common misconception that estate planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, everyone can benefit from having a clear plan. Not having one leaves you wide open to all sorts of issues.</span> (There are plenty of reasons why people <a href="https://simplytrust.io/3156/10-reasons-people-delay-estate-planning/">delay</a> estate planning, but they&#8217;re not good reasons.)</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-procrastinating-the-process"><strong>2. Procrastinating the Process</strong></h4>



<p><span>Delaying estate planning can lead to unnecessary complications. Starting early ensures that you prepare for any eventuality.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-failing-to-update-your-estate-plan"><strong>3. Failing to Update Your Estate Plan</strong></h4>



<p><span>Life events like marriage, divorce, or having children should prompt an update. Keeping your plan current is crucial.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-overlooking-digital-assets"><strong>4. Overlooking Digital Assets</strong></h4>



<p><span>From social media accounts to cryptocurrency, digital assets often go unaddressed. Catalog these in your plan.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-ignoring-health-care-directives"><strong>5. Ignoring Health Care Directives</strong></h4>



<p><span>Without a clear health care directive, decisions about your medical care may fall to someone unfamiliar with your wishes.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-choosing-the-wrong-executor"><strong>6. Choosing the Wrong Executor</strong></h4>



<p><span>An executor should be trustworthy, organized, and capable of handling complex tasks. It’s not always best to choose someone because of convenience (e.g., the closest family member).</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-forgetting-to-name-guardians-for-minor-children"><strong>7. Forgetting to Name Guardians for Minor Children</strong></h4>



<p><span>If you have kids, designating a guardian is essential to ensure their care aligns with your values.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-not-planning-for-estate-taxes"><strong>8. Not Planning for Estate Taxes</strong></h4>



<p><span>Failing to account for taxes can reduce the amount that passes to your heirs. Tax-efficient strategies can help maximize your estate for them.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-leaving-beneficiary-designations-outdated"><strong>9. Leaving Beneficiary Designations Outdated</strong></h4>



<p><span><a href="https://simplytrust.io/3318/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-beneficiary/">Beneficiary</a> designations on accounts like life insurance override wills, so keep them up to date.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-overcomplicating-or-oversimplifying-trusts"><strong>10. Overcomplicating or Oversimplifying Trusts</strong></h4>



<p><span>A poorly designed trust can lead to confusion and disputes. Work to strike a balance between clarity and specificity.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-11-forgetting-about-contingent-beneficiaries"><strong>11. Forgetting About Contingent Beneficiaries</strong></h4>



<p><span>Always name secondary beneficiaries to ensure proper distribution of your assets, even if primary beneficiaries can’t inherit.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-12-assuming-a-will-avoids-probate"><strong>12. Assuming a Will Avoids Probate</strong></h4>



<p><span>Many people mistakenly believe a will helps <a href="https://simplytrust.io/2675/avoid-probate-with-a-trust/">avoid probate</a>. Including a tool like a revocable trust can help streamline the process.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-13-overlooking-funeral-instructions"><strong>13. Overlooking Funeral Instructions</strong></h4>



<p><span>Clearly stating your funeral wishes can spare your loved ones the burden of making tough decisions during a difficult time.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-14-failing-to-include-charitable-giving"><strong>14. Failing to Include Charitable Giving</strong></h4>



<p><span>If philanthropy matters to you, include charitable donations in your plan to leave a lasting legacy.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-15-not-protecting-loved-ones-with-special-needs"><strong>15. Not Protecting Loved Ones with Special Needs</strong></h4>



<p><span>Establishing a special needs trust can safeguard benefits for loved ones who require lifelong care.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-16-skipping-asset-inventory"><strong>16. Skipping Asset Inventory</strong></h4>



<p><span>A complete inventory helps ensure you leave nothing out—financial assets, sentimental items, and everything in between.</span> (Here&#8217;s an <a href="https://simplytrust.io/2781/estate-inventory-checklist-for-you/">estate inventory checklist</a> for you.)</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-17-forgetting-about-business-succession"><strong>17. Forgetting About Business Succession</strong></h4>



<p><span>If you own a business, a clear succession plan can protect its continuity and value for your heirs.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-18-not-funding-a-your-trust"><strong>18. Not Funding a Your Trust</strong></h4>



<p><span>Not funding a trust means setting up a trust but failing to transfer your assets into it. This step is critical—without it, the trust is essentially an empty shell.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-19-failing-to-communicate-the-plan"><strong>19. Failing to Communicate the Plan</strong></h4>



<p><span>Family disputes often arise when plans are unclear. Discuss your wishes with those affected to minimize misunderstandings.</span></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-20-not-reviewing-plans-periodically"><strong>20. Not Reviewing Plans Periodically</strong></h4>



<p><span>Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done task. Regular reviews ensure your plan adapts to life’s changes.</span></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoid-common-estate-planning-mistakes">Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes</h2>



<p><span>Avoiding these common estate planning mistakes can save your family time, money, and unnecessary stress. By taking proactive steps, you can create a plan that protects what matters most to you.</span></p>


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10 Reasons People Delay Estate Planning

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