A significant portion of young adults are not preparing wills, a trend that experts attribute to a misconception that only those with substantial assets need to do so. The 2025 National Wills Report indicates that only 20% of individuals aged 18 to 24 have a will, with the figure rising to 33% for those between 22 and 34. This contrasts sharply with 56% of individuals over 55 who have wills in place.
Sophia Maslin, founder of Morby, an app designed for online will creation, stated that the belief that one must possess considerable wealth to warrant a will is a common misunderstanding. She elaborated that savings, investments, pensions, social media accounts, pet guardianship, and even funeral preferences are all valid considerations for a will.
Erin, a 27-year-old who has drafted her will, was prompted to consider the process after a friend purchased a home. Her awareness of the issue was further amplified by Maslin's presence on TikTok, where Maslin shared a personal story about the complications her family faced after a young cousin died without a will.
Maslin also noted that the complexity of estate distribution can be exacerbated when individuals pass away without clear instructions, potentially leading to prolonged legal processes and emotional distress for surviving family members. The absence of a will can result in assets being distributed according to default legal rules, which may not align with the deceased's wishes.