Why Don’t Most American have an Estate Plan?

Just one of every three Americans has an estate plan in place, mostly because they don’t believe they have the assets to merit it.

Investment News’ recent article entitled “Procrastinating Americans putting off estate plans, says D.A. Davidson survey” says 34% of adults in the U.S. have an estate plan, according to a survey released recently by D.A. Davidson & Co. 37% of respondents also said they didn’t have a plan at the ready because they felt they didn’t have a large enough estate to warrant one. Procrastination came in second place, with 32% of those surveyed saying they simply “haven’t gotten around to it.”

The survey also showed that 20% of respondents who actually created estate plans haven’t updated them in the last five years.

Consulting an experienced estate planning attorney has a positive effect when it comes to creating an estate plan. The survey said that the number of those having a plan jumped from 18% to 56%, if they worked with a professional at some point.

The survey showed those who have worked with a professional also feel more confident and prepared discussing their estate plan and end-of-life wishes than those who have never worked with one, the survey showed.

In terms of gender differences, 72% of the women surveyed don’t have an estate plan compared to 59% of men. This spread should narrow as the wage gap closes between male and females.

A married couple will typically pass their full estate to the surviving spouse. Statistics show that the surviving spouse is likely a woman, and she will then need to pass her remaining estate to the next generation. That can be complicated, with things like family dynamics playing a major part.

While it’s critical for both spouses to have an estate plan, women are more likely to need long-term care because of longer lifespans.

A well-drafted estate plan can manage a woman’s assets and affairs, in the event she’s ever unable to do so.

Reference: Investment News (Oct. 11, 2022) “Procrastinating Americans putting off estate plans, says D.A. Davidson survey”

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