You are not too broke to cause family drama: You need a will.

“I Don’t Need a Will, I’m Not Rich”

If I had a dollar for every time someone said this, I’d… Well, I’d need a more detailed will.  

Here is the thing: a will is not just for Taylor Swift or Beyonce (Steven Tyler, Bret Michaels, or Dick Van Dyke for my 40+ crowd). A will is for you too. Yes, YOU! The person with a 2007 Honda Accord, a cat, a houseplant you are oddly attached to, and that collection of Tupperware lids no one else seems to know where the bowls that match are located.

Why People Think This Way

People think this way because most of us hear “estate planning” and immediately picture sprawling mansions, hedge fund accounts, and someone named Archie arguing over a yacht. When we do not consider ourselves “wealthy,” it would be easy to assume a will is optional. The more wealth you build, the more complicated your will becomes but everyone needs a will.

Here is the awkward truth: if you don’t have a will, you have a very dreadful and lengthy estate plan. It is one written by your state government, and it is not designed with you, your family, or your quirks in mind. It will also take longer than it should to ensure your intentions are met when you pass.  

Without a will:

Your stuff goes through probate.  Probate - a fancy word for “a judge gets to make family decisions at lightning speed… by court standards.”

Your kids? The state decides who’s in charge of them if you haven’t. (Let’s hope Aunt Linda is as fun as she thinks she is.

Your sentimental stuff? That’s where family wars break out. People can divide money. No one knows how to divide Grandma’s quilt. It can get really ugly and lead to hurt feelings that scar families. 

Why It Matters Even If You’re ‘Not Rich’

Pets: Who gets to feed Mr. Whiskers? The state doesn’t care. A will does.
Debt: Just because you don’t have millions doesn’t mean you don’t have bills. A will helps make that smoother.
Stuff that actually matters: Maybe it’s your guitar, your photo albums, or your dad’s old baseball card collection. Those mean something, even if they don’t appraise at Sotheby’s.

The Loving Thing To Do

Having a will isn’t about showing off your wealth. It’s about making life easier for the people you love, so they’re not left fighting over your coffee mugs while they’re grieving. So yes, you need a will. Even if you are not rich. Even if you are “just getting by.” Even if your “estate” is literally a studio apartment and a killer Spotify playlist. A will is about how much you care about the people you leave behind.