Why Estate Planning Matters More Than Ever in 2025

Estate planning has traditionally been seen as something only the wealthy do — but the truth is, every family, couple, or individual has an “estate.” If you own a car, a home, a bank account, or even digital assets like crypto and online accounts, you already have an estate. The real question is: what happens to all of that if something unexpected happens to you?

In 2025, as families navigate rising costs of legal services, more complex digital assets, and evolving state laws, estate planning has shifted from a “someday” project to an urgent family priority. The good news is that it no longer requires thousands of dollars in attorney fees or months of back-and-forth.

That’s where Herbie comes in — giving you the ability to create a legally sound, state-compliant estate plan in minutes, not months.

What Exactly Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of preparing legal documents that outline how your assets, healthcare decisions, and dependents (like your children) will be managed and cared for if you pass away or become incapacitated.

Key components typically include:

• A Will – dictates who inherits your property and who cares for your children.
  
• A Trust – provides more control, avoids probate, and can protect assets.
  
• Power of Attorney (POA) – appoints someone to handle financial matters.
  
• Healthcare Directives – ensures your medical wishes are respected.
  

✅ With Herbie, these documents are not separate, confusing tasks. Our guided process bundles all core estate planning needs in one easy-to-follow flow.

Wills vs. Trusts: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest estate planning questions is: Do I only need a will or should I also have a trust?

Here’s a breakdown:

✅ Herbie makes this decision simple. Based on your answers to a few guided questions, Herbie recommends whether a will or trust fits best — and then generates the legal documents instantly. With a Herbie One subscription, all of the documents are included, at one fixed annual price.

Why Estate Planning Is More Urgent in 2025

1. Rising Probate Costs – Probate court can eat up 3–7% of your estate’s value.
   
2. Changing Family Dynamics – Blended families, cohabitation, and second marriages add complexity.
   
3. Generic Document Generator Risks – Generic templates often fail state-specific requirements.
4. Digital Assets – Families increasingly need to manage crypto, NFTs, and online accounts.
   

✅ Herbie solves these issues by:

• Tailoring plans based on your state, family and assets.
  
• Making updates easy when life changes.
• Including digital asset clauses.
  

Step-by-Step: How to Create an Estate Plan

1. Inventory Your Assets – Home, car, savings, retirement, digital accounts.
   
2. Decide Beneficiaries – Who receives what.
   
3. Choose Key Roles – Executor, trustee, guardians.
   
4. Draft the Documents – Will, trust, POA, healthcare directives. With Herbie, we provide instantly generated documents.
   
5. Review & Update – As life changes, stay current.
   

✅ Instead of juggling lawyers and forms, Herbie guides you step by step with clear questions and explanations, then compiles all legal documents for you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not naming guardians for kids.
  
• Forgetting digital assets.
  
• Leaving outdated beneficiaries (ex-spouse, old accounts).
  
• Generic DIY templates not state-compliant.
  

✅ Herbie automatically avoids these pitfalls with built-in reminders and legal checks.

The Cost of Estate Planning: Lawyer vs. Online vs. Herbie

Compare the options in the following chart:

‍FAQs

1. Is an online will legally valid?
Yes, as long as it meets your state’s requirements and is signed properly. 

✅ Herbie’s documents have been heavily vetted by estate planning attorneys throughout the country. Herbie also provides easy-to-follow signing instructions.

2. Do I need a lawyer for estate planning?
For most families, Herbie provides everything you need.

3. What if my circumstances change, like if I move states?
Herbie adapts your documents, including to new state laws, with a simple update. That's another benefit of having a Herbie One subscription.

Conclusion: Estate Planning Without the Stress

Estate planning doesn’t need to be intimidating, expensive, or something you put off until later. With Herbie, you can protect your family, secure your assets, and gain peace of mind — all in less time than it takes to cook dinner.

👉 Start your estate plan with Herbie today — it’s free to begin, and your family’s future deserves it.