Why Michigan Families Delay Choosing a Will or Trust — And What It Costs Them

Many Michigan families understand in theory that they should have a will or trust in place. Yet year after year, probate courts across the state see the same pattern: plans delayed until illness, incapacity, or death forces decisions to be made under pressure.

The result is rarely catastrophic — but it is often unnecessarily expensive, slow, and stressful for the people left behind.

Before diving into how these delays play out in Michigan specifically, the video below offers a clear overview of the basic estate planning concepts most families are weighing when they postpone the decision.

This short video explains the foundational differences between wills, trusts, and probate — and why families often struggle to decide when to act.

Michigan Insights periodically features licensed professionals for educational interviews.