Who Needs a Will?

Here's something most people don't know: you don't have to be wealthy, elderly, or have a collection of priceless antiques to benefit from having a will. The truth is, a will is one of the most straightforward gifts you can give the people you love because it means they won't have to guess at your wishes.

If you've been putting this off because it feels like something that doesn't apply to you yet, this article is for you.

It's Not About What You Own — It's About What You Care About
What Happens Without One
Who Can Benefit From Having a Will
There's No "Right" Time — But Now Is a Good One
Common Questions

It's Not About What You Own — It's About What You Care About

One of the most common reasons people delay creating a will is the belief that they don't have "enough" to make it worthwhile. But a will isn't just a document for distributing a large estate. It's a way to make your wishes clear, before life gets complicated.

A will can be a place to express things like:

Who you'd want to take care of your children or dependents if something happened to you
Which family member, friend, or charity you'd like to receive specific items or assets
Who you trust to carry out your wishes (your executor)
How you'd want your pets cared for
Your preferences around end-of-life arrangements

None of those things require significant wealth. They just require you to care about the people in your life, which you already do.

What Happens Without One

Without a will, the decisions you might have made yourself get handed over to a legal process. Courts will apply your state's default rules to determine things like who inherits your property or who raises your children. Those rules don't know your family. They don't know your relationships. And navigating that process can place a real burden on the people you love most, at an already difficult time.

A will can be viewed as a kindness. A way of saying, "I thought about you, and I made things easier." It's not about anticipating the worst. It's about being prepared so your family doesn't have to make hard decisions without guidance from you.

Who Can Benefit From Having a Will

The short answer? Most people. Here are a few situations where having a will makes life easier for the people who matter to you:

You have children or dependents. A will can be where you designate a guardian — someone you trust to step in and care for them.
You're in a relationship, married or not. A will can help ensure that your partner is protected the way you'd want.
You have a pet. Yes, you can include provisions for your animals, too.
You own anything at all. A car, a bank account, a piece of jewelry — a will can speak to how those things should be handled.
You have complex family dynamics. A will can give you a voice in situations where relationships are complicated.
You just want peace of mind. That alone is reason enough.

There's No "Right" Time — But Now Is a Good One

It's easy to put this off for "someday." But a best practice is to think of your will as a living document — something you create now, based on where you are today, and update as your life changes. Getting started doesn't lock you into anything. It just means you've started.

With Paige, building a will takes as little as 10–15 minutes. You can fill in what you know, skip what doesn't apply, and come back to update it anytime. There's no pressure to have everything figured out before you begin.

Common Questions

"What if my situation is complicated?"

That's okay — complicated situations are exactly why a will matters. Blended families, business ownership, dependents with special needs, estranged relatives — a will can be the clearest way to communicate your intentions when the picture isn't simple. Paige walks you through the process step by step, and you can always consult a legal professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.

"Can I update my will later?"

Absolutely. A best practice is to revisit your will after any major life change like a marriage, a new child, a move to a different state, or a change in your financial situation. With Paige, updates are easy to make whenever life shifts.

"Does a will cover everything?"

A will can cover a wide range of wishes, including asset distribution, guardian designations, executor appointments, specific gifts, and pet care. Keep in mind that certain assets like life insurance policies or retirement accounts with named beneficiaries are typically handled outside of a will. Paige's guided process can help you understand what belongs where.