If you ask any Millennial what’s on tap for them in the next several years, there’s a good chance they’ve got a list with all kinds of travel, graduation, debt repayment, and career goals. But one issue that does not come up enough in these “life” to-do lists is estate planning. In fact, since there’s such a perspective that estate planning only makes sense for older or wealthier individuals, estate planning may not be something a younger person considers at all until they are married or expecting their first child.

One misstep for younger individuals that leads them to believe estate planning is something you only need to worry about in your 50s or 60s is the foundational view that estate planning is only needed when you pass away. That’s a big mistake. Whether it’s naming a guardian for your minor child or having a healthcare directive to enable someone else to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so, estate planning looks at the future, but the future of your life, too. Most people aren’t expecting a disability or accident in the same way they aren’t anticipating their own mortality at a young age.

Just one car accident or medical diagnosis, however, can turn a person’s life upside down without proper planning. It generates unique legal issues and places undue stress on family members struggling to cope with all the changes. In some sense, the Millennial generation is more financially responsible than those in the past, perhaps because many of them are dealing with student loan debt that requires them to be at least aware of their financial situation. Many are interested in self-development and planning for retirement, which makes an excellent opportunity to approach estate planning with an open mind.

If you have questions about the tools and strategies you could use as a Millennial, now is the time to start looking ahead. Contact an experienced estate planning lawyer today.