Estate planning basics are one of those things I kept kicking down the road like “eh, I’m not old yet,” until last fall when my buddy Mike—literally 42, healthy as hell—had a freak bike accident and suddenly we were all staring at hospital forms none of us understood. That was the slap. So yeah, estate planning basics? I’m finally doing them, and it’s messy, awkward, and honestly a little freeing in a grim sort of way.
Why Estate Planning Basics Hit Different When It’s Your Own Life
I used to think estate planning was just rich people stuff—trust funds, mansions, that kind of vibe. Turns out no. It’s me sitting at my kitchen table in [current city I’m in, say Columbus, Ohio because that’s where I’ve been crashing lately], staring at a pile of papers wondering who gets my beat-up guitar and my dog if something dumb happens tomorrow.
Seriously, the first thing that messed me up was realizing how many tiny decisions I hadn’t made. Like, my 401(k) from that job I hated in 2018 still lists my ex as beneficiary. Oops. That’s estate planning basics 101 right there—update your beneficiaries or someone you haven’t spoken to in seven years might cash out your retirement.
Start Here: The Bare-Minimum Estate Planning Basics I Actually Did
Here’s what I forced myself to tackle first, no fluff:
- Write a basic will — Yeah, I used one of those online templates (LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, whatever). Cost me like $80 and an hour of panicking over whether I sounded too “final.” Pro tip: don’t do it after two IPAs.
- Pick an executor — I asked my sister, then immediately regretted it because she’s terrible with deadlines, but she’s the only one I trust not to turn it into drama.
- Beneficiary designations — Went through every account—bank, brokerage, life insurance, even my dumb Spotify family plan. Took like 20 minutes online each. Felt stupidly good after.
- Power of attorney — Got a durable financial POA and a healthcare one. My best friend from college has both. He laughed when I asked, then got serious real quick.
The Stuff I Still Haven’t Done (And Probably Should)
Look, I’m not perfect. I still don’t have:
- A trust (feels too bougie for my current bank balance)
- A living will / advance directive sorted beyond “pull the plug if I’m a vegetable”
- Any real conversation with my parents about THEIR estate planning basics. That one’s terrifying.
I keep telling myself I’ll get to it “next month.” Classic procrastination. But at least I started the basics.
One Embarrassing Story About Beneficiaries
So I logged into my old 401(k) last month. The beneficiary was still my college girlfriend. We broke up in 2015 after she moved to Portland for a kombucha startup that obviously failed. I hadn’t thought about her in years. But there she was, first in line for my measly retirement savings. Imagine her getting a notification like “hey congrats your ex is gone, here’s $12k.” Mortifying. Fixed it in like five minutes online. Felt like adulting on hard mode.
Quick Checklist for Anyone Else Dragging Their Feet on Estate Planning Basics
If you’re like me and keep putting it off, steal this:
- List all accounts with beneficiary options (retirement, bank, life insurance).
- Log in and update them TODAY.
- Grab a simple will template—don’t overthink it.
- Name someone you trust as executor and backup.
- Tell at least one person where the documents are (mine’s in a blue folder in the junk drawer next to the takeout menus).
- Breathe. It’s not fun, but it’s not rocket science either.
Wrapping This Up Before I Chicken Out Again
Estate planning basics aren’t sexy. They’re paperwork and what-ifs and trying not to cry when you realize your dog might outlive you. But doing even the smallest pieces feels like taking the boot off your chest. I’m still figuring it out—hell, I might redo half of this next year—but at least I started.
If you’ve been avoiding it like I was, just pick one thing. One account. One conversation. That’s it. You got this (even if it feels weird as hell).
