Seventy percent of folks have no estate planning in place—meaning no will, no trust, no powers of attorney, nothing appointing anyone they trust with the legal authority to act on their behalf if something were to happen. I don’t think it’s a lack of money; we spend lots of money on lots of things. Maybe it’s avoidance—somehow emotionally linking us to our final demise? It amounts to procrastination. We all do it from time to time.
What about procrastination that is absolutely paralyzing? Have you experienced that? Where are you with that? Do you know someone who is a procrastinator, and you’ve tried everything you can think of to get them moving, but they’re still sitting there like a lump on a log?
Procrastination is real—I see it all the time. Do nothing damaging.
I was watching an old school be torn down, located down the street. A big tractor was tearing away at the building, leaving piles of rubble. I saw all kinds of people boo-hooing about the building—"so many memories," "how sad," blah, blah, blah.
Do you know the reality is that building had sat crumbling and deteriorating for 20+ years, probably even longer? I know because I drive by it at least two times a day!
Why didn’t anyone do anything to protect the building? To save it? Right? If they cared so much—You know what I think? They don’t care—didn’t care enough to do anything about it. Now, when they are seeing the result, it’s a hue and cry and "so sad." Reality is, it's too late to do anything.
That’s the same thing I’m talking about here. Procrastination – you care but you don’t care enough to do something about it.
I’ve spent two years of my own time, money, and effort on this podcast—trying to encourage you all to move forward with a plan for your estate planning and older years. Why? Because I do care—I’ve seen what happens when it's too late.
But Nancy, what do you mean? What does any of this have to do with estate planning?
You need to invest time in planning—the right documents, enforceable, and that work for you. Asset planning, long-term care planning, understanding eligibility requirements—all of that. Seventy percent of us have done nothing.
Procrastination, just like the demolition of that school—except it's your life, your independence, your quality of life, your ability to make your own decisions. All that effort—comes crashing down on you—you lose your freedom of choice. All because you didn’t take action.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and on the podcast is not intended to be considered as legal advice or constitute an attorney/client relationship as provided under the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct.
