If you haven’t, you aren’t alone.
In 2025, only 24% of American adults had a will—a sharp decline from 40% less than a decade ago. When asked why they do not have a will, 43% said “just haven’t gotten around to it,” while 40% said they don’t have enough assets to justify one.
It is easy to think “My family will know what to do” but the reality is that not having a plan creates the most stress and uncertainty for those you love most.
Without a plan, a state judge—a stranger who doesn’t know your family—will determine who cares for your children and how your assets are distributed. The court process for the unprepared, called probate, can be lengthy and expensive, draining up to 10% of an estate’s value through legal fees and court costs.
For veterans, the stakes are even higher. Your estate isn’t just about a bank account or a house; it includes hard-earned benefits like military pensions, VA disability, and healthcare coverage that need to be accounted for to ensure they are properly passed on. You should protect your home, your bank accounts, your personal property, and, most critically, the guardianship of your children.
In the legal system—known as probate court— if you pass away without a will, the court, not your family, takes charge.
Here are some consequences of passing with incomplete planning:
🚫 Asset Freeze: Your bank accounts, investments, and property can be immediately frozen by the court. Your estate can be locked down for months, creating immense financial stress for your spouse and children.
⚖️ Loss of Control: State law dictates who gets your personal assets. If you want to leave a specific family heirloom to a niece or fund a child’s education in a specific way, those wishes are ignored.
👶 Unspecified Command: If you have minor children, the court decides their legal guardian. This decision can override your personal wishes, leading to a lengthy, public, and expensive court battle over who raises your kids.
Protecting your family’s future is one of the most empowering missions you can undertake. It’s not about being overwhelmed by paperwork; it’s about taking clear, decisive command of your legacy for generations to come.
We understand that time is precious and complexity is frustrating. For a veteran, estate planning carries an added layer of responsibility. Your legacy includes the specific benefits you earned through your service.
Here are some reminders:
Secure Your Wishes: Clearly and legally designate who inherits your property and, most importantly for veterans with children, name the legal guardian you trust most with a will.
Health and Financial Orders: Appoint your spouse or trusted person as Power of Attorney and Health Care Agent. This grants them the legal authority to handle finances or make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated, avoiding court intervention.
Digital Asset Protection: Secure those modern assets—online investments, retirement accounts not tied to the VA, and digital photos—ensuring nothing is lost or locked away.
Failing to properly document your wishes for these assets risks leaving a complicated financial situation for your loved ones as they struggle to access the support they’re entitled to.
Creating a digital asset plan is the single most profound act of love and responsibility. The most common motivator for creating an estate plan isn’t fear—it’s peace of mind and protecting your loved ones. Don’t wait for a life event to force your hand.
Traditional estate planning can involve intimidating attorney visits, complex paperwork, and overwhelming costs.
The NextofKin App is built to help make this critical protection accessible, straightforward, and secure. We take the complexity out of digital asset planning, transforming it into a straightforward, empowering decision you can complete in minutes.
Designed with the veteran community in mind, we knew it had to be direct, trustworthy, and effective.
Don’t forget, you served with distinction, discipline, and duty. Now, apply that same sense of preparedness to your family’s financial security. It is the most direct, impactful way to secure the continuity and care for the people you value most.
What story will your legacy tell?
Make it your finest mission and start today.
