Let’s face it, no one wakes up excited to create a will. Between work, family, and the constant buzz of daily life, it’s no surprise that only 24% of Americans have a will in 2025. That number has dropped steadily from 33% just a few years ago.
At Cain, Cain & Janik, we get it. Life is full. Estate planning doesn’t always feel urgent... until something unexpected happens. But if you want your family to avoid the courts, sidestep confusion, and keep the peace, your plan needs to move from the bottom of your to-do list to the top.
A recent national survey found that procrastination remains the biggest obstacle when it comes to getting a will or trust in place. More than 40% of respondents said they just haven’t gotten around to it. That includes people with young kids, mortgages, and assets that deserve protection.
And it’s not just the youngest adults brushing off estate planning. Surprisingly, the 35 to 54 age group — the ones often juggling aging parents and raising kids — are the least likely to have anything in place. Even though they’re the ones most likely to need it.
Here’s the head-scratcher. While the birth of a child is one of the top reasons people say they would consider making a plan, the reality is, most parents with kids under 18 still don’t have one. That means no guardianship decisions are in place, and no clear instructions on what happens if the worst were to happen.
We see this all the time — families who think they don’t have “enough” to need an estate plan, or who assume it’s just for the ultra-wealthy. In reality, a solid estate plan is about protecting your kids, your home, your savings, and your peace of mind. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about what you want to happen to it — and who you trust to carry out those wishes.
Even for the 24% of people who do have a will or trust, more than a quarter haven’t updated it since they first signed the documents. Think about that — many people are walking around with estate plans that may not reflect where they live, who they’ve married, or the children they’ve welcomed since then.
Big life changes like getting married, buying a home, receiving an inheritance, or moving to a new state should trigger a review of your plan. If you created your estate plan in another state, it's worth checking with a local attorney to make sure it still works under Oklahoma law.
Medical diagnoses were one of the top motivators for people who did take action to plan or update their wills. It doesn’t have to be something major — even preparing for a surgery can make people stop and think. But you don’t need a health scare to start planning. In fact, the best time to plan is before you’re in crisis mode.
Most people aren’t avoiding estate planning because they dislike it. They just don’t know where to start. In fact, 1 in 5 adults say they’ve at least talked to a loved one about their wishes, and some have even started researching online. That’s a great first step — but don’t stop there.
We’re here to help you finish the job. At Cain, Cain & Janik, our job is to make estate planning feel less overwhelming and more like something you’ve got handled. Because once it’s done, the sense of relief is real.
Let’s make 2025 the year you finally stop putting it off. Request a consultation and let’s walk through it together — no stress, no judgment, just a plan that works for your life.
Getting started
As summer winds down, families naturally start getting organized again. Calendars come back out. Routines return. People begin thinking about the months ahead rather than just the weekend in front of them.
·5 min read
Getting started
Most people who try to create their own estate plan aren’t being careless. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. They’re organized and responsible, trying to “get it done” without spending unnecessary time or money.
·6 min read
Getting started
I thought I had this handled.” And honestly, many people did. They created a will after having children. They signed a trust years ago.
·5 min readThe workbook helps you clarify what you want your plan to accomplish, identify possible gaps, prepare the right people, and decide what to do next, whether this is your first revocable living trust-based estate plan or you are reviewing an old one.
Separately, you can subscribe to A Matter of Trust, a weekly newsletter from Tamara featuring practical estate-planning guidance, thoughtful reflections on family and legacy, and other estate planning ideas worth passing along. Sign up for one or both.
Estate planning is a process, not an event. Start with a Right Fit Call: a short, no-pressure conversation to see whether we are the right firm for your family, and what a plan that walks alongside you would look like.
