At Trust & Will, we’ve long believed that life transitions—like getting married, starting a family, or buying a home—should be natural catalysts for planning ahead. But in our latest survey of 750 U.S. adults, evenly divided among single, engaged, and married individuals, the results showed a more complicated picture.
While married people are far more likely to have wills, trusts, or healthcare directives in place, nearly half still haven’t taken action. Engaged couples are full of good intentions—but lag behind on execution. And singles remain the most resistant, often underestimating the value of planning for themselves.
The findings reveal a clear trend: your relationship status strongly influences your estate planning mindset. But it doesn’t always lead to follow-through.
Marriage Is a Motivator—But Not a Guarantee
Among all relationship groups, married individuals are the most likely to have created an estate plan. Forty-four percent have a will, and one in five have a trust or healthcare directive. That’s nearly four times the will adoption rate of engaged individuals.
But timing tells a different story. Just 10% of married respondents created an estate plan within the first two years of marriage. A full 25% waited more than a decade. And 42% of married individuals—despite their legal and emotional commitments—still don’t have a plan at all.
This disconnect, what we call the “Procrastination Paradox,” suggests that marriage may increase the likelihood of planning, but not necessarily the urgency.
Engaged Couples Are Eager—But Ill-Equipped
If married individuals are lagging in action, engaged individuals are still in the imagining phase. Only 12% currently have a will, yet 49% say they plan to create one within the next five years.
This high intent is driven by clear motivators: 60% of engaged individuals said protecting future children is their primary reason for estate planning, and 38% cited marriage itself as a key trigger.
But despite these motivations, engaged respondents showed the lowest overall knowledge levels. Half described themselves as not very or not at all knowledgeable about estate planning. And very few had completed core steps like naming an executor or creating a healthcare directive.
They’re in preparation mode—not implementation. And without better education and support, many may continue to delay.
Single Individuals Are the Most Resistant—and the Most Misunderstood
For single adults, estate planning remains the most overlooked—and perhaps most misunderstood—area of financial preparation. Thirty-four percent said they have no plans to create an estate plan at all, and many cited not having enough assets or simply not knowing where to start.
Compared to married or engaged respondents, singles were less influenced by relationship factors and more focused on individual asset protection. They were also the least likely to name children or family planning as a motivating factor.
At the same time, singles had the most polarized knowledge distribution—some reported feeling very knowledgeable (20%), while others reported feeling not knowledgeable at all (16%).
This presents a unique challenge: how do we reframe estate planning not just as a family-focused activity, but as a vital act of personal protection?
Across All Groups, Emotional Peace Is the Strongest Driver
Despite the varying motivations across relationship statuses, one priority remained consistent: the desire for peace of mind. Over half of all respondents—regardless of whether they were single, engaged, or married—said that emotional security was the top reason they would create an estate plan.
It outweighed concerns about taxes, asset protection, or even probate avoidance. This speaks to a powerful emotional truth: estate planning isn’t just legal housekeeping—it’s a reflection of care, responsibility, and long-term vision.
The Knowledge and Action Gaps Are Most Stark Among Engaged Respondents
Perhaps the most striking insights from this data come from engaged individuals. They’re on the cusp of major life changes and are thinking about the future—but they’re struggling to take the next step.
Here’s where the disconnect is most visible:
Only 15% of engaged individuals have a healthcare directive, compared to 41% of married respondents.
Just 17% have named or documented an executor—less than half the rate of married peers.
Only 15% have documented guardianship for children, despite being the most motivated by family planning.
Nearly 1 in 10 say they don’t know what a healthcare directive is.
This group may represent the greatest opportunity for education, empowerment, and early action.
A Clear Need for Tailored Messaging
Ultimately, estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. The data shows that each relationship group brings its own mix of motivations, hesitations, and informational gaps.
Married individuals tend to prioritize peace of mind, probate avoidance, and tax strategy. They’re often influenced by their spouse, but prone to delaying action for years. Engaged couples are motivated by upcoming milestones—marriage, home buying, starting a family—but often lack the knowledge to begin. Single individuals are more focused on financial protection and individual autonomy but are most likely to believe estate planning “isn’t for them.”
Each of these groups needs a slightly different message, a slightly different entry point—and a lot more clarity.
Looking Ahead
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after we’re gone. It’s about how we live, love, and protect what matters most. And as this survey reveals, your relationship status shapes how—and whether—you start that process.
Ready to explore more? Check out the next chapters in our findings:
Methodology:
This random double-opt-in online survey of 750 U.S. adults aged 18+, evenly split amongst people that are married (250), engaged (250), and single (250), and male (375) / female (375) was commissioned by Trust & Will and conducted by market research company Talker Research, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected from May 16 to May 23, 2025. The margin of error is +/- 3.58 points with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
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