No, future planning isn’t the most exciting thing on your to-do list. It’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 (about two thirds of Americans can help you with that, if you need it).
People avoid estate planning for loads of reasons (bad ones). Some people feel like they’re too young or don’t own enough or they can just do it later. Others find it to be an unpleasant experience (although it doesn’t have to be). Some think it’s too complicated, time-consuming and expensive (although, again, it doesn’t have to be). And still others figure their family will handle it and that it’ll all work out.
Hope Isn’t a Strategy
But here’s the thing: avoiding 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.
1. “I’m Too Young for That Stuff”
Ah yes, the classic “I’m invincible!” 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.
Scenario: Imagine 30-year-old Alex, who thinks estate planning is for retirees with beachfront properties. Then Alex gets a dog and realizes, “Wait—who takes care of Max?”
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).
2. “I Don’t Own Enough to Bother”
No mansion? Yacht? Swiss bank account? No problem, right? Wrong. Even if your biggest asset is that rare Beanie Baby collection, your belongings still matter.
Scenario: Picture Jamie, who’s convinced their collection of vintage comic books isn’t worth sorting out. But to their brother? Those comics are priceless. Without a plan, those cherished pages might just end up forgotten in a garage sale.
3. “It’s Just Too Morbid”
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.)
Scenario: 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.
4. “It’s Too Complicated”
Legal jargon can feel like reading a foreign language. Testamentary capacity, executor, fiduciary duty—it’s enough to make anyone’s eyes glaze over. But it’s not as complicated as it may at first seem.
Scenario: 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 revocable trust is (a living trust), and he came back up into the sunlight.
5. “It’s Too Expensive”
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.
Scenario: Taylor does the delay estate planning things, thinking it’s too pricey. Then her family spends thousands dealing with probate court drama later. Irony’s a cruel friend.
6. “I’ll Get to It Later”
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.
Scenario: Chris keeps pushing estate planning down the list—right after “organize spice rack” and “learn French.” It stays at the bottom of the list.
7. “My Family Will Figure It Out”
Sure, because nothing brings a family closer than fighting over Grandma’s casserole dish. Assuming your family will magically sort things out is wishful thinking—and a recipe for drama.
Scenario: Imagine a family feud over who gets the vintage china collection. Without a plan, Thanksgiving could turn into The Hunger Games: Heirloom Edition.
8. “I Don’t Have Time”
Who has time for estate planning when you’re busy juggling work, kids, pets, and maybe a hobby you haven’t touched since 2020?
Scenario: 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.
9. “I Can’t Decide Who Gets What”
Choosing heirs feels like an emotional landmine. Who gets what? Will someone feel left out?
Scenario: Imagine giving your nephew the gaming console instead of your brother—cue family drama. But without a plan, no one gets it without jumping through legal hoops.
10. “Everything Will Be Fine”
The ultimate reason people delay estate planning: blind optimism. But estate planning isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s just about organizing.
Scenario: Riley’s mantra is, “It’ll all work out.” Unfortunately, hope isn’t a strategy. A little planning now can save your loved ones a world of stress later.
No Reason To Delay Estate Planning
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.