As a tax professional specializing in Estate planning, I spend a good portion of my time emphasizing to clients the importance of getting their affairs in order. I remind them that life is unpredictable, that having a solid estate plan ensures their loved ones aren’t left dealing with legal and financial chaos, and that the best time to do it is now—not later.
And yet, here I am, fully aware of all these facts, and my own family’s estate plan remains unfinished.
It’s not for lack of trying. I’ve had the conversations. I’ve urged my parents we need to get it done. They don’t argue with me. They don’t push back or say it’s unnecessary. Instead, we collectively push it off—always for a seemingly valid reason.
“We’ll do it after we finish selling this property.”
“Let’s wait until tax season is over.”
“We should talk about it after the holidays.”
Before I know it, another year has passed, and despite my professional expertise, my own family is just like so many of the clients I advise—knowing it’s important but never quite making it a priority.
Why does this happen? I think, in part, it’s because estate planning feels like something we always have time to get around to. There’s no immediate crisis, no urgent deadline. And when it comes to family, there’s an emotional weight to the process that makes it easier to delay.
I get it. But I also know better.
So, if you’ve also been putting off Estate planning for your own family, take this as a reminder that there will never be a perfect time to do it. Life will always be busy, and other things will always feel more urgent. But getting it done now is the best way to ensure your loved ones are protected when it matters most.
Because at the end of the day, the best time to do estate planning isn’t after the next big life event. It’s now.
Don’t let too late come too soon.