Why Gen X Might Be the Most at Risk—And What That Means for Your Estate Plan

Gen X is closer to retirement than ever—but many families are still completely unprotected. This USA Today article reveals why that’s a bigger risk than most people realize.

I came across an interesting article recently from USA Today that talked about Generation X and estate planning—and honestly, it confirmed something we see all the time in our office.

Here’s the short version: Gen X knows they should have a plan… but many still don’t. And that gap is where problems start.

(If you want to read the full article, you can check it out here: Read the USA Today article)

The “We Know Better… But Haven’t Done It” Problem

According to the article, Gen X is in a unique spot. They’re not brand new to adulthood like younger generations, and they’re not fully retired either.

They’re in the middle—raising kids, helping aging parents, building careers, and trying to keep everything moving forward.

And here’s the kicker:
Most people in this group understand estate planning is important… but still haven’t actually put a plan in place.

Sound familiar?

Why This Matters More Than You Think

This isn’t just about having a will “someday.”

Gen X is often carrying the weight of multiple generations at once—kids, parents, sometimes even both at the same time.

So when there’s no plan in place, it doesn’t just create inconvenience—it creates chaos:

• Kids could end up in court to figure out guardianship
• A spouse could be stuck sorting out finances with no guidance
• Aging parents may lose the support system you’ve built for them
• Everything you worked for could get delayed, mismanaged, or disputed

And none of that happens because people don’t care… it happens because life is busy.

The Trust Shift (And Why It Matters)

One of the more interesting takeaways from the article was how people are thinking differently about estate planning tools—especially trusts.

More families are realizing this isn’t just about “what happens when I die.” It’s about:

• Keeping things out of court
• Making life easier for your family
• Staying in control of how things are handled

That aligns with what we’re seeing too—people are moving beyond basic wills and looking for more complete plans that actually work when their family needs them.

The Real Issue: Delay

Here’s the part I want you to hear:

Most people don’t avoid estate planning because they don’t care.
They avoid it because they think they have time.

But Gen X is at a stage where things can change quickly:

• Kids are still dependent
• Parents’ health can shift
• Financial complexity is higher than ever

And waiting is where the risk lives.

What You Should Do Instead

You don’t need to have everything figured out today.

But you do need to start.

At a minimum, your plan should answer:

• Who takes care of your kids if something happens?
• Who steps in to handle finances?
• How does your family avoid probate and delays?
• What actually happens step-by-step?

Because if you don’t answer those questions… the court will.

Final Thought

That USA Today article highlighted a national trend—but for us, this isn’t just a trend. It’s real families, real situations, and real consequences.

Gen X isn’t behind because they’re careless.
They’re behind because they’ve been busy taking care of everyone else.

Now it’s time to take care of your own plan.

If you want help getting that in place (without it feeling overwhelming), schedule a 15-minute phone consultation today.

This article is a service of Legal Journeys, a Personal Family Lawyer Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning® Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own, separate from this educational material.