Estate planning has an image problem, particularly with young adults, says The Financial Post’s November 15th article entitled, “The case for estate planning in your 20s: At any age, some things are dear to you.”
If you’re 22 and don’t own a home, aren’t married and don’t have any dependent children, writing a will may seem like a waste of time and money. However, if you ask yourself “what do you want to see happen to your treasures if you pass away?
With no estate plan, a young adult will have no say over what happens to their treasures one day.
A recent survey shows that less than 20% of young adults have an up-to-date will. One reason for this poor result is that the term “estate planning” makes the process seem inaccessible or irrelevant for anyone not of a certain age or with significant assets.
However, considering your wishes earlier in life when your needs are simpler can make the process feel more natural and manageable when your life — and needs — become more complex as you get older. The pandemic is a reminder that none of us knows for sure if we will have a later.
Drafting a will gives you the power to decide where everything from your savings and investments to your sentimental belongings and even your pets will go when you pass away.
Many people wait until they get married, buy a house, or have kids to draft a will. However, every adult needs one. Think about what would happen to your assets and property if something happens to you. People with spouses often mistakenly assume everything will go to that person, if they have no will in place. However, state law will dictate exactly what assets will go to their spouse, and what might go to other relatives, such as their parents. If that’s not how you would have wanted it to go, you’re out of luck.
Leaving an up-to-date record of your wishes is the best thing you can do for your family. Contact a local estate planning attorney today to protect your loved ones from future heartache.
Reference: Financial Post (Nov. 15, 2021) “The case for estate planning in your 20s: At any age, some things are dear to you”
