Why Putting Off Your Estate Plan Could Cost Your Family

Let’s be honest. Estate planning is one of those things we know we should do—but somehow it always ends up on next month’s to-do list. And then the next. Because really, who wants to sit down and think about the hard stuff?

But here’s the thing: delaying your estate plan doesn’t just leave loose ends. It can create unnecessary heartache, chaos, and confusion for the people you care about most.

This is Barbara. She was my 92-year-old neighbor, but more than that—she was family. She helped raise me, cheered me on, and became one of the most important people in my life.

I was her caretaker in her final years. And I’m telling you her story because you may not have heard it before, or don’t remember that it’s the reason I believe so deeply in estate planning.

When the Plan Is in Place, You Can Focus on What Matters

Barbara didn’t have any close relatives, and I was the one she trusted to help her as she got older. Thankfully, we had the foresight to put her estate plan in place years before she really needed it. That included a revocable living trust and powers of attorney for both finances and healthcare.

So when the time came, I didn’t have to scramble. I could pay her bills, get her to her doctors, manage her care, and eventually make the tough call to move her into full-time care for her final months—because that’s what she needed. And more importantly, I was able to keep her criminal son away from her and keep her and her money safe. 

And when she passed, I could actually grieve. I wasn’t chasing court forms, publishing legal notices, or begging a judge for permission to take care of the basics. Which I would have had a hard time doing, since I wasn’t related to her. Her criminal and abusive son would have been who they gave that power to. The thought of that still makes me sick. By getting her estate plan in place,  her wishes stayed private, her estate stayed protected, and I didn’t have to fight her son and hire a lawyer to tell me what I already knew she wanted.

The Legal Industry Isn’t Exactly Known for Warm Hugs and Helpful Advice

Let’s be real. The traditional legal system? Outdated. Overworked. Expensive. It’s designed for efficiency, not empathy. And if you’ve ever tried to navigate probate court (or the legal system in general), you know it feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded—with one hand tied behind your back.

But Barbara didn’t have to become another name on a court docket. She wasn’t shuffled into a system or handed off to the state. Because we had her plan in place, I could take care of everything she needed—legally, efficiently, and without delay.

And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: I wasn’t biologically related to her. Without her estate documents, my hands would’ve been tied. She could’ve become a ward of the state or worse, had her son take over.

This Is Why I’m So Passionate About Estate Planning

I’ve seen firsthand what it looks like when someone has their affairs in order—and how different it could’ve been if they didn’t. If Barbara hadn’t taken that step, I might still be tangled in probate today, battling relatives who never once checked in on her but would have happily shown up for the inheritance.

That’s why I’m here. That’s why I do this work. Because estate planning shouldn’t be locked behind a mahogany desk and a five-figure retainer fee. It should be simple, clear, and accessible to everyday people. People like Barbara. People like you.

Legal documents like wills and trusts don’t have to be mysterious or out of reach. In most states, the language is standardized. You don’t need a law degree to get it right—you just need the right support and tools to get started.

And that’s exactly what we’re here to provide.

So that’s my story. What will yours be?