Dying without a will or an estate plan can cause many delays in settling personal estates.  According to a Caring.com survey, over half of all American adults lack a will or estate plan.   An estate plan is more comprehensive and detailed than a will. It divides up your property when you’re not around anymore.  Attorney Bob Ross of Ross Estate Planning in Sturgeon Bay says if you lack either or both, there are three critical things you need to do right away.

Two excuses often given for not having a will or an estate plan is that they hadn’t gotten around to it and they don’t have enough assets to leave anyone.  Ross advises everyone to take the time to get their end-of-life documents and plans in order.