Are you in the 24% or the 76%? 

A recent survey by Caring.com found only 24% of Americans have a current will.  We did pretty well during the pandemic, with a surge in people looking at estate planning.  The 2025 survey shows a nine percent decline from 33% in 2022 down to less than one quarter of us.

Admittedly, the Caring.com survey was for people aged 18 to 55.  The Pew Research Center found that 66% of people in their 70’s have a will. And about 80% of those in their 80’s have tackled that task.

So what’s the obstacle?  Procrastination.  Time.  Money.  And not wanting to think about death.

If you belong in the percentage for your age group that still doesn’t have a current will or trust, let me suggest some reasons why you should.

1. You, not state law, should decide where you want your assets to go.  And don’t try to do it yourself.  Please get expert advice before you try to do your own estate planning by putting your kids on the title to your house and your accounts.  A legal judgement against the child could put your property in jeopardy.

2. Through your will, you can continue supporting the causes you’ve cared about all your life. Consider setting aside a portion of your estate to continue to give to your church and other nonprofits you give to now.  If you have three kids and plan to divide your estate evenly among them, does a bequest of 30% versus 33 1/3% really matter?  Think about using 10% of your accumulated wealth to benefit the organizations you care about.

3. Your will offers flexibility.  Whatever you put in your will doesn’t take effect until your death.  You can change your mind at any time.  And by using assets you have accumulated over a lifetime, you may find you can be more generous in your will.

August is Make A Will Month.  If you have a will, pull it out and read it to see if anything needs to be updated.  And if you don’t have a will, you know what to do.  We don’t draft wills at the Desert Southwest United Methodist Foundation, but we can answer some basic questions for you and refer you to experts who can help you.  You’ll feel better when that task is handled.

Blessings,

Anne Green
Executive Director
602-798-8202