 TITLE: Why You Should Begin Estate Planning in Your 20s CONTENT: Why Estate Planning in Your 20s Is Important\n--------------------------------------------\nAlthough you likely won't have to worry about it for yourself for many years to come, it's important to know what happens when you (or even a loved one) passes. When you die, your estate may have to go through _probate_, a court proceeding that oversees how your assets are distributed. If you have a will, probate is a simple process where the court verifies that your will is genuine and ensures the estate's executor distributes your assets properly. And if you have a living trust, you can often avoid the process altogether.\nIf you don't have a will or trust, the judge makes decisions about your estate and appoints an administrator to carry out those decisions. Your family could wait months or years to receive money from your estate, and could pay a significant amount in probate fees. The judge may also make decisions you wouldn't agree with about your property or guardianship of children.\nWhether or not you have many assets, putting an estate plan in writing ensures you're in charge of your health care, your finances and what happens to your property if you die. Sadly, the pandemic has awakened Americans of all ages to the importance of estate planning. According to Caring.com, 27% of 18- to 34-year-olds now have wills, up from 16% in 2020.\nIf you're married or have children, it's easy to see why estate planning in your 20s matters. But even if you're single and don't have many assets, estate planning gives you control of your property, which would otherwise be taken by the state. Wouldn't you rather leave your bank account, car or 401(k) plan to your sister, best friend or favorite charity than to the government? END