Did you know that October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month? This is a time dedicated to reminding people that estate planning is not just for the wealthy, the elderly, or people with complicated estates. It is about making sure your wishes are known and that the people you trust can step in when needed.

And this is an initiative I strongly believe in.

According to recent research, only 32% of U.S. adults say they have created a will, meaning roughly 68% have not. A 2026 Trust & Will survey also found that 56% of Americans have no estate planning documents at all, including wills, trusts, or powers of attorney. 

Those numbers are more than statistics to me. They remind me of an appointment I will never forget.

When It Was Already Too Late

I was once asked to notarize a Power of Attorney for someone who was seriously ill. The family understood that the document was important and wanted to get everything in place.

But when I arrived, the situation had changed.

The signer was no longer able to communicate with me or demonstrate the understanding necessary for me to complete the notarization. No matter how much the family needed the document, I could not simply proceed because the circumstances were urgent.

It was heartbreaking.

The family had waited until they needed the document. By then, it was too late.

That experience has stayed with me because it showed me something that estate planning professionals already know well: the best time to organize your affairs is while you are healthy and able to make your own decisions.

Estate Planning Is About More Than Wealth

A thoughtful estate plan may include a will, trust, financial Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, and other documents depending on your circumstances. These documents can help address both what happens to your assets and who can make important decisions if you cannot make them yourself. 

You don’t have to be wealthy to have something worth protecting.

You have your choices. Your family. Your healthcare wishes. Your home, belongings, accounts, and the people you trust.

This October, take a moment to ask yourself: If something happened tomorrow, would my affairs be in order?

If the answer is no, that’s okay. You can start today. Talk with an estate planning attorney about what makes sense for your circumstances.

As a mobile notary and Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent, I see the final part of that planning process firsthand. My role is to help make sure documents are properly executed once they are ready. I don’t provide legal advice or draft estate plans, but I am always glad to support the professionals and families who are doing this important work.

Estate planning isn’t about expecting something bad to happen. It’s about making sure that if life takes an unexpected turn, you’ve already done what you can to protect the people and things that matter most.

Valuable resources:

• California Court Self-Help Guide: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/wills-estates-probate/legal-documents
• Ridley Law – Free California Estate Planning Tools: https://ridleylawoffices.com/estate-tools/
• FreeWill: http://www.freewill.com/