October 20–26, 2025, is Estate Planning Awareness Week – a national reminder of the importance of protecting the people and assets you love.
When most people hear the term estate planning, they picture thick stacks of legal papers – wills, trusts, or powers of attorney. But true estate planning is much more than documents. It’s about making sure your loved ones are cared for and supported when something happens to you. It’s about love, protection, and peace of mind.
Unfortunately, many people still haven’t taken this important step. A 2024 survey found that only 32% of Americans have a will, down from 38% the year before. That means most families are at risk of confusion, court involvement, and costly delays right when they’re already grieving.
In this article, I’ll walk you through why estate planning matters, what happens when families don’t plan, and how to create a plan that actually works for the people you love.
Estate Planning Is About People — Not Paperwork
One of the biggest misconceptions about estate planning is that it’s just about filling out and signing documents. While paperwork is part of it, a true plan goes far beyond that.
A well-designed plan makes life easier for your loved ones. It gives them clarity, authority, and guidance at a time when they’ll need it most. Without a plan, your family might struggle to find important documents, locate your accounts, or know how to handle bills and medical decisions. That confusion can lead to months of unnecessary stress, court involvement, and even conflict.
But when you have a thoughtful plan in place, your loved ones will know exactly what to do and whom to turn to. They’ll be able to focus on what truly matters – supporting each other and honoring your life.
A strong estate plan doesn’t just transfer your assets – it passes on your values, your guidance, and your love. It can include stories, lessons, and traditions that reflect who you are and what you hope to leave behind. Seen in this light, estate planning isn’t something you do for yourself – it’s something you do for them.
What Happens When You Don’t Plan
Many people believe they don’t have “enough” assets to need an estate plan. But estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy – it’s for anyone who loves someone.
When families don’t plan, the results are often heartbreaking. Assets can be frozen, bills can go unpaid, and family members may disagree about your wishes. Even small oversights can lead to lost property, legal disputes, or years of frustration.
There’s also the issue of outdated or incomplete plans. Maybe you created a will or trust years ago, or used an online form – but if your documents don’t reflect your current life, relationships, and assets, your plan might not work when it’s needed most.
The result isn’t just financial stress – it can cause lasting emotional strain among loved ones. That’s why Estate Planning Awareness Week exists: to remind us that true planning is ongoing. It’s a living process that evolves with your life, your family, and the law.
How to Create a Plan That Truly Works
Our Life & Legacy Planning® process is designed to help you create a plan that actually works when your loved ones need it. It’s not just about documents – it’s about people.
It starts with a Life & Legacy Planning Session, where we take the time to review your goals, relationships, assets, and values. During the session, we walk through exactly what would happen if something were to happen to you right now – so you can see where your plan stands and what needs to be updated or created.
From there, we design a personalized Life & Legacy Plan that ensures everything and everyone you care about will be protected the way you intend.
Unlike traditional estate plans, a Life & Legacy Plan is a living system, not a one-time transaction. It includes:
- An up-to-date inventory of your assets
- Clear instructions for your loved ones
- Regular reviews to ensure your plan stays current as your life and the law change
It also ensures that your loved ones always have a trusted professional to turn to for help when something happens.
This relationship-based approach means you don’t just have completed documents – you have ongoing support and confidence knowing that your plan will actually work in the real world.
Your Next Step Happens Now
This Estate Planning Awareness Week, take the time to protect the people you love.
If you already have a plan, make sure it’s still current and truly reflects your life today. If you don’t have a plan yet, now is the perfect time to begin.
The greatest gift you can give your loved ones isn’t a document – it’s clarity, guidance, and peace of mind.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.