The ‘Sandwich Gap’ technology lacks property planning, is least ready for loss of life, survey suggests

More than half of American adults (56%) don’t have any property planning paperwork — regardless of 73% saying it’s necessary.

That’s in line with a survey of 5,000 individuals carried out by Talker Research on behalf of Trust & Will.

Results confirmed that, whereas nearly all of adults (73%) say property planning is necessary to them, simply 26% even have a will in place.

And the degrees of preparation don’t at all times correlate with age. Sandwiched between getting older mother and father and their very own youngsters, Gen X is definitely the least protected technology in America.

Defined as “The Sandwich Gap,” 62% of Gen X mentioned they’ve zero property planning paperwork, leaving them extra unprotected than Gen Z (54%), Millennials (58%) or Baby Boomers (48%).

Trust & Will’s 2026 Estate Planning Report is part of an ongoing yearly evaluation into property planning in America and the way preparation and pondering round legacies is altering.

Cody Barbo, Co-founder and CEO at Trust & Will, mentioned, “Our analysis this yr highlights a big hole between intention and motion in terms of property planning.

“Despite the overwhelming majority recognizing the significance of getting a will or different basically property planning paperwork, 56% have been unable to take necessary steps to creating it occur.

“It’s particularly striking that Gen X are the least likely to be protected as the group that navigates a lot of financial complexity with kids, mortgages, aging parents and retirement planning,” Barbo continued.

“It’s often thought that the older generations are those that need to act but it’s so important that those in their forties and fifties can be enabled to properly protect their legacy and loved ones.”

The lack of preparation has sensible implications: 42% of Americans say they wouldn’t know what to do if a member of the family died at the moment. That determine jumps to 56% amongst these with no paperwork in any respect.

Perhaps most stunning is who else is flying with out a security internet as 68% of individuals in severe or engaged relationships don’t have any property planning paperwork. Surprisingly, that’s a better unprotected price than divorced, separated or widowed Americans (55%).

The high cause Americans give for not having a plan is believing they don’t have sufficient property (27%), whereas procrastination and easily not getting round to it have contributed to delays for 23%.

Intimidating elements like merely not figuring out the place to start out (17%), fearing the expense (15%) or discovering your complete course of too difficult (12%) have been different widespread boundaries.

Understandably, many (8%) mentioned not eager to have uncomfortable conversations was a giant a part of their not but having a will or belief in 2026.

Barbo added, “The primary cause individuals give for not having an property plan is that they don’t suppose they’ve sufficient property.

“But what having a plan really does is ensure the people you choose are the ones acting for you if you can’t. It’s less about what’s in your bank account and more about protecting the people you love.”

Top causes Americans don’t have a will or property plan

(Respondents may choose a number of causes; percentages is not going to whole 100%)

• Don’t suppose they’ve sufficient property — 27%
• Haven’t gotten round to it — 23%
• Don’t know the place to start out — 17%
• Feels too costly — 15%
• Feels too difficult — 12%
• Feels uncomfortable to consider — 12%
• Don’t suppose it’s related for individuals like me — 11%
• Don’t wish to have uncomfortable conversations with household — 8%

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 basic inhabitants Americans who’ve entry to the web; the survey was commissioned by Trust & Will and administered and carried out on-line by Talker Research between Jan. 28 and Feb. 5, 2026.