Many of us come to estate planning too late. Here’s what finally pushed me to do it.

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If you recognize that you need a plan, don’t let the moment slip away

Last Updated: June 15, 2025 at 9:22 a.m. ET
First Published: June 13, 2025 at 12:55 p.m. ET

The author was afraid that if she slipped on the ice and hit her head, her young children could be left penniless. Photo: Getty Images

The winter of 2015 was harsh in New York — snow, freezing rain, black ice — and I was afraid of slipping and hitting my head. This is why I got an estate plan. 

This is not how most people go about this task, primarily because most people never go about this task at all. Only 30% to 40% of adults in the U.S. do any sort of estate planning.