Procrastination is prioritizing less urgent tasks in preference of more urgent ones, even though the latter may be more important. Procrastination is always the #1 reason why someone has not yet created their will.

I often tell clients, "If you are waiting for it to be fun to pay an attorney lots of money to create

your estate plan, you're going to be waiting a really long time." It will always be more fun to

spend your time and money on a great beach vacation.

And believe me, I know how easy it is to get sidetracked by watching adorable dog videos on Facebook. But at the end of the day, those videos won’t help my family.

Several years ago, I ran into a woman who had attended one of my estate planning seminars a year earlier. I asked if she had completed her plan yet. Her response: "We're still thinking about it!"  Sound familiar? I also hear:

- I'll do it later

- I won't die

- I don't like talking about death

- I'm too young

- I don’t have enough assets to have an estate plan

Unfortunately, none of these excuses will prevent a tragic car accident we frequently see in

Gilbert.

This New Year, make a resolution to quit procrastinating! Here are a few tips to help you take

steps to create a plan to protect your family in the event of your incapacity or death. (I guarantee at least one of these will happen to you!)

- Promise yourself you will create your plan

- Break down your goal into small steps such as: 1) think about who you would want to

make healthcare decisions for you, 2) think about who will raise your minor children if

something should happen to you, 3) update your beneficiary forms on your financial

accounts, 4) set an appointment with an attorney

- Set a completion date for each step

- Keep this list out where you can see it every day

- Share your goals with trusted family members or friends

- Ask someone to keep you accountable for each action step

- Don't let a setback derail you

Most importantly? Stop thinking about it. ... Just Do It!

Becky Cholewka specializes in estate planning in Gilbert. If you are ready to prioritize your family, contact Cholewka Law at 480-497-3770 or visit gilbertlawoffice.com for more information.