National Estate Planning Awareness Week runs October 19-25, 2026, and the numbers behind it are stark: only 24% of U.S. adults reported having a will in 2025, down from 33% in 2022, according to a Caring.com/YouGov survey of over 2,500 adults. NAEPC data cited for the awareness week puts the share of Americans without an up-to-date estate plan at 56%.
Estate planning for young families with kids
For parents, the single most-asked estate planning question is "who will take care of my children if something happens to me?" Without a will naming a guardian, that decision falls to a court -- not necessarily to who you would have chosen. The Estate Planning Readiness Checklist flags this as an urgent priority the moment you indicate you have minor children.
Do I need a will if I don't have kids?
Yes, and estate planning resources are clear on this even for childless couples and single people: a will still directs who gets your belongings, and separately, a healthcare directive and financial power of attorney matter at any age -- they cover who can make decisions for you if you're incapacitated, which has nothing to do with having children.
How many Americans actually have a will?
Just 24% as of 2025, a number that's been declining since 2022's 33%. Caring.com's survey found the most common reason for not having one isn't cost or complexity -- 43% of people without a will say they simply "haven't gotten around to it."
What documents do I need for estate planning?
The core set that comes up across every planning guide: a will (and a guardian designation if you have minor children), a healthcare directive, a financial power of attorney, and up-to-date beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance -- since those pass directly to whoever's named, regardless of what your will says. The checklist tool weighs each of these based on your specific answers instead of listing everything as equally urgent.