57% of Americans Don't Have An Estate Plan

According to this article, a March 2011 survey shows that 57% of Americans do not have a will. This number is not that surprising to me. People tend to think they don't need one (common among men according to the survey) or think they cannot afford one (common among women says the survey).

In my practice the following are common factors in urging a client to do an estate plan:

1. arrival of first child;
2. upcoming vacation to distant location;
3. sudden death of family or friend that resulted in difficulties for survivors.

I've also seen that once the process is started, at least with my clients, it is easier and less expenses than the client feared.