Can We Close The Confidence Gap in Legacy Planning?

Despite estate planning being one of the most important financial decisions a person can make, millions of Americans don’t feel confident—or welcome—in that conversation. According to Trust & Will’s 2025 Estate Planning Report, receiving a doctorate degree increases the likelihood of discussing an estate plan by 23%, in comparison to those without a high school diploma. 

This is more than just an educational gap. It’s a gap in trust and confidence that’s blocking countless people from protecting their assets. 

Education ≠ School. It’s Access, Language, and Representation. 

It’s not just about where you went to school, or for how long.

Formal education often plays a determining factor in how comfortable someone feels with legal documents, financial concepts, and legacy planning. This is because estate planning is saturated with jargon. From ‘executor’ to ‘revocable trust’, this kind of language alienates those who haven’t been exposed to it. 

If you haven’t grown up with generational wealth or legal literacy, chances are that estate planning wasn’t modeled for you or historically within the community you came from. 

The Silent Shame Around ‘Not Knowing’

When someone delays or avoids estate planning, it’s not because they don’t care. More often than not, people steer clear of the unknown because they fear ‘doing it wrong’. 

Lower-income and undereducated individuals are less likely to work with lawyers or financial advisors. As a result, they are also more likely to be penalized by probate, disputes, or asset loss. 

Estate planning often feels like a rich person’s game, when it really could be a protection tool for all people, especially with more to lose. 

How Do We Build Confidence? (Not Just Access)

1. Simplify the language: Plain terms reach a wider audience than legalese. Why educate with terms that intimidate, when we can empower?

2. Make it visual & story driven: Real life stories from everyday lives build trust far more than stats. 

3. Partner with trusted messengers: Churches, barbershops, community centers, and ESL programs may have a greater effect in communities than digital marketing alone. 

4. Offer starter steps, not just the full plan: Even providing instructions on how to name a guardian or write down wishes is a meaningful start. 

5. Meet people where they are: This may matter the most. In order to create a meaningful impact, reach out to those who may seem ‘out of the way’. This could look like mobile-first tools, translated or braille guidelines, and free webinars in public spaces. 

Legacy Planning is a Tool for Generational Justice 

When undereducated and lower-income families plan, they interrupt cycles of instability. Creating an estate plan isn’t just about wealth. It helps individuals and their families establish clarity, dignity, and protect what matters most. 

That is why outreach matters. Empowering these communities doesn’t just shift individual outcomes, it reshapes futures. 

Ready To Build Your Confidence?

It’s time to stop feeling like you need to earn your way into estate planning. Legacy doesn’t belong to lawyers, it belongs to everyone!

If you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to make it simple. Take our free quiz to see where you should get started, or compare our different estate planning and settlement  options today!

Is there a question here we didn’t answer? Browse more topics in our learn center, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page,  or chat with our member support!

Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.