5 Reasons Missourians Keep Putting Off Their Will (And Why That's a Mistake)

Most people know they need a will. Ask anyone over 35 and they'll tell you — yes, they've been meaning to get one. And yet, according to national surveys, fewer than half of American adults have any estate planning documents in place.

So what's stopping everyone? After over 20 years of helping Northeast Missouri families with estate planning, attorney Meredith Morrow Illa has heard every reason in the book. Here are the five most common ones — and why none of them hold up.

1. "I don't have enough assets to need a will"

This is the most common misconception about estate planning. A will isn't just for the wealthy. It's for anyone who has opinions about what should happen to their belongings, their home, their bank accounts — or most importantly, their children.

If you have minor children and no will, a Missouri court will decide who raises them if something happens to you. That alone is reason enough to have a plan in place, regardless of your net worth.

2. "I'm too young to worry about this"

No one likes to think about their own mortality, and it's easy to assume that estate planning is something you do when you're older. But accidents and unexpected illness don't check your age first.

The reality is that a will is most valuable when you're young — when you likely have young children, a mortgage, and a spouse who depends on your income. Waiting until you're older means years of unnecessary risk for the people who matter most to you.

3. "It's too complicated and expensive"

Many people imagine estate planning as a drawn-out, expensive legal process. In practice, a straightforward will or basic trust is often simpler and more affordable than people expect — especially when you work with an attorney who takes the time to explain your options clearly.

The cost of not having a plan, on the other hand, can be significant. Without a will, your estate may go through Missouri's probate process — a court-supervised procedure that can take months, cost thousands in fees, and expose your family's finances to public record.

4. "My family knows what I want"

Verbal wishes and good intentions don't hold up in court. Without a legally valid will, Missouri's intestate succession laws determine who inherits your assets — and the formula may not match what you'd choose.

For example, if you're married with children from a previous relationship, Missouri law may divide your estate in ways that surprise you. A will ensures your actual wishes are honored, not a legal default.

5. "I'll get to it eventually"

This is the one that causes the most harm. Estate planning is easy to put off because there's no immediate deadline — until there is.

The families who struggle most after a loss are often the ones where "eventually" never came. Grief is hard enough without the added burden of legal uncertainty, family conflict over assets, or a court process that could have been avoided entirely.

The good news is that getting started is easier than most people think. A single consultation is often all it takes to understand your options and put a plan in motion.