Why Young Adults Shouldn’t Wait to Plan
Most people in their twenties don’t think twice about estate planning. No spouse, no kids, no major assets—what’s there to plan? But legal control isn’t just for later. If something happens and there’s no plan in place, decisions fall to the court. Not your family. Not your best friend. Not the person you’d want.
An estate plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to exist.
At Fletcher Estate Planning, we work with young adults to set up the basics: control over finances, control over healthcare, and clear instructions for what happens next. If you care about who makes decisions for you, you need a plan.
Start with These Core Documents
1. Will
A will says where your things go, who’s in charge, and who steps in as guardian if you’re responsible for someone else. Even if you don’t own much, it keeps things clean. No confusion. No drama. Just a plan.
2. Financial Power of Attorney
This document lets someone you trust handle money if you can’t. Paying rent. Covering bills. Accessing your account if needed. Without this, even your parents might be blocked from helping.
3. Healthcare Power of Attorney
If you’re in a hospital and can’t speak, someone needs authority to make choices. This form gives it. You choose who. You set the limits.
4. Advance Directive
Do you want life support if there’s no chance of recovery? Would you prefer comfort care only? This document makes that call now, so your family isn’t forced to guess later.
5. Beneficiary Designations
Some accounts pass outside of your will. Retirement accounts, life insurance, even some bank accounts. Whoever is listed there gets the money—regardless of what your will says. It’s worth checking.
Don’t Forget the Details
Passwords. Emergency contacts. A note about your pet or student loans. These are small things, but they cause big problems when no one knows where to look.
Keep a folder. Paper or digital. Tell someone where it is.
Update as Life Changes
You move. You get married. You start a business or open a new account. When your life changes, your plan should change too. Once a year, glance over it. If something looks off, update it.
Conclusion
You don’t need a big estate to make an estate plan. You just need decisions you want honored. The cost of not planning isn’t measured in dollars. It’s stress, court filings, missed opportunities, and people getting cut out when they shouldn’t be.
If you’re ready to take control or just want to ask questions before deciding, Fletcher Estate Planning is here. A short conversation now can spare your loved ones a long, difficult road later.
