The Importance of Drafting a Will for New York Residents
According to a Caring.com survey, the number of Americans with wills has increased by only 2.5 percent in the last year. Overall, the percentage of those with a will continues to decline; in 2021, it will be 33 percent, down from 42 percent in 2017. COVID-19, as our New York estate planning attorney explains, has exposed one in three people to the need for a will, but 31% of those who acknowledge the need failed to act upon it.
Spikes in new cases of the coronavirus despite vaccination efforts, re-infections of vaccinated individuals, and increasing cases in younger, healthier people indicates COVID-19 challenges will plague the US and world populations for some time to come. If for no other reason, a pandemic should motivate you to create your will. Counterintuitive to the statistics, younger adults are more likely to follow through with a will creation than middle-aged and older adults.
Why Most Middle-Aged And Older Adults Don't Follow Through ![estate attorney presenting documents to older age couple]()
Aside from procrastination as a reason for not having a will, Americans increasingly cite a lack of understanding about obtaining a will and do not know that attorney groups can create legal documents remotely. An asset protection lawyer can help you develop as complex or straightforward a will and estate plan as your circumstances warrant without setting foot in their office space if need be.
Almost everyone has something of financial or emotional value they would like specific relatives or friends to inherit from them. A will acts as your voice after you are gone, ensuring your wishes are carried out. A valid and enforceable will significantly benefit your family, allowing you to protect a spouse and children. Your will designates who inherits your real property like a home or land you own and personal property like bank accounts, securities, jewelry, etc.
Besides determining how your property is distributed, a will can designate who will care for your minor children after you die. Without a will, the courts decide who cares for your children and their interests. Appointing a caretaker that you trust in your will affords you time to discuss how best to handle your children's mental, emotional, and financial life preparedness.
The True Importance of a Will
Having a will allows you the option to disinherit individuals such as an estranged relative. In the absence of a will, the state will determine who inherits assets that may end up in the hands of someone you do not wish to receive your property. This intestate (dying without a will) distribution of your property varies by state and may not provide for the distribution you prefer. The absence of a will or other estate planning documents, like a living trust, can also lead to family strife.
According to a 2025 will and estate planing study via Caring.com, continuing the trend from the 2024 wills survey, 43% of respondents without a will said they "just haven't gotten around to it"—and even fewer are making progress this year. In 2025, only 24% of survey participants reported having a will, 13% said they have a living trust, and 4% indicated they possess other estate planning documents. This marks a decline from 33% of respondents who had a will in 2022.
As the primary document for transferring your assets upon your death, your will is an essential part of your estate plan. As the COVID-19 virus continues to challenge all people's health and well-being, it is reasonable and responsible to create a plan to preserve for your heirs what it took your lifetime to achieve.
An experienced estate planning attorney can help you determine whether a will is right for you, and we can help draft additional supporting documents, like healthcare directives, to support your overall plan and make sure your wishes are carried out.
