How to Stop Procrastinating on your Estate Plan

Shortly after the beginning of the pandemic, I noticed a dramatic increase in the number of business inquiries coming into the law firm. It seemed like people who had been able to put their estate planning repeatedly on the back burner could no longer bring themselves to do so. Too many people were dying, and too many people were experiencing the delicacy of existence simultaneously.

Folks who actually did get their estate planning done managed to acquire a little peace of mind, knowing that they’ve taken care of their families in the event of a tragic emergency. So many folks have actually experienced this in our country now that it’s really getting difficult to ignore the inevitable and sometimes scary truth of our eventual demise.

And still, it’s surprising, even shocking that only 33% of American families have an estate plan—even AFTER the reality of the pandemic has put us on high alert.

If you are in the 67% of Americans who still have not yet done your estate plan, we have a two-step plan to help you get started on your estate plan and move toward getting it done.

First Step: Identify what’s holding you back. What are your internal resistances to getting started on your plan? Are you experiencing feelings of:

• Aloneness or isolation or not having anyone?
• Fear of death or being unresolved in oneself in the face of death?
• Fear of addressing death head-on might bring death to your doorstep?
• Not knowing how to make good decisions?
• Mistrust in lawyers and the legal industry?
• Mistrust in your family members?
• Having no one in your family who is competent enough to be your agent or fiduciary?
• Having no one in your family who has heart or skill enough to be guardians of your children?
• Concern that estate planning is going to be boring, droll, and painful like a root canal?

Or is there something else lingering under the surface of your awareness preventing you from taking action on your desire to get a plan done? You may notice several, or even many of these or other concerns holding you back from taking action.

Second Step: Schedule 15 minutes to talk with me. THAT’S IT!

This is the easy part! Once you schedule a meeting, I can help you work with these procrastination factors and get on your way with your planning, either with me or with someone else. Even if we’re not a good attorney-client fit, making a single movement toward your goal can build the momentum you need to get this project to done.

In this 15-minute meeting, we’ll look at the very first choice you’ll have to make, learn about the roles in an estate plan, and hear what you can expect if you work with my firm. If we’re not a good fit, I may have a referral for you. Either way, you’ll learn some things that will help you keep the ball rolling!