Roadblocks
The 7 Roadblocks to Death Planning (And How to Overcome Each One)
Article
From superstition to spouse resistance, here's why people don't plan and what to do about it.
Published: 3 Apr 2026 · Updated: 15 Oct 2026
Roadblock 1: Superstition. 'Writing a will means inviting death.' This is the most common reason Indians avoid estate planning. The reality is that a will has no more power to cause death than a fire extinguisher has to cause fire. It is a safety tool, nothing more.
Roadblock 2: Overwhelm. 'I don't know where to start, so I don't start at all.' Estate planning sounds like it requires lawyers, accountants, and weekends of paperwork. It does not. Start with a list of your bank accounts. It is a short job, and the most useful single step you can take.
Roadblock 3: Spouse resistance. 'My wife/husband doesn't want to talk about it.' Reframe the conversation. It is not about death. It is about making sure your family is not financially devastated. Take the quiz together: it shows where your family stands and the first steps to take, which turns a vague worry into a short to-do list.
Roadblock 4: Cost perception. 'I can't afford a lawyer for this.' You do not need a lawyer to start. A will written by hand, signed by you and by two witnesses who saw you sign, is valid in India. It does not need stamp paper and does not have to be registered. If you live in India and the Hindu Succession Act applies to you, Sort My Legacy's Will Builder guides you through a draft on every plan, Free too; a lawyer's review is still worth it for complex estates.
Roadblock 5: Procrastination. 'I'll do it next month.' Next month easily becomes next year, and then the year after. Set a timer for 3 minutes and take the free quiz right now. Momentum kills procrastination.
Roadblock 6: Complexity. 'My situation is too complicated.' Complicated situations are exactly why you need a plan. Multiple properties, business ownership, NRI status, blended families, these all need documentation more than simple estates do, not less.
Roadblock 7: Denial. 'Nothing will happen to me.' You are right that nothing is likely to happen today. But something will happen eventually, and the question is not whether your family will face this situation, but whether they will face it prepared or unprepared.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws and rules change, so check with a qualified lawyer or CA before you act.
