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COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MYTHS DEBUNKED

I want to take a moment to set the record straight. Estate planning myths are surprisingly common, and they are holding real families throughout Denver and Colorado back from the protection they deserve.

Life, Legacy, & Business Planning  

By Alexa Tetzlaff, Esq.  ·  Enliven Law  ·  Denver, Colorado

If you have been putting off estate planning because of something you heard — or assumed — I want to take a moment to set the record straight. Estate planning myths are surprisingly common, and they are holding real families throughout Denver and Colorado back from the protection they deserve.

Let’s bust a few of the biggest ones.

MYTH 01

“Estate Planning Is Only for the Wealthy or Married”

THE TRUTH

This is the myth I hear most often, and it is the one that breaks my heart. The truth is that estate planning is not about how much money you have — it is about making sure the people you love are protected no matter what.

If you have children, you need to name a guardian. If you own a car or a home, you need a plan for what happens to them. If you have strong feelings about your medical care, you need documents that honor those wishes. Estate planning is for everyone.

MYTH 02

“I’m Too Young to Worry About This”

THE TRUTH

The tragic reality is that none of us knows what tomorrow holds. I have worked with people who lost a spouse or parent unexpectedly in their 30s and 40s, leaving behind no plan, no guidance, and enormous legal chaos at the worst possible time.

If you are over 18 and you love someone, you need an estate plan. Period.

MYTH 03

“A Will Is All I Need”

THE TRUTH

A will is an important piece of the puzzle, but it is not the whole picture. A will must go through probate — a public, court-supervised process that can take months and cost thousands of dollars. A complete Life & Legacy Plan typically includes a trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and properly updated beneficiary designations. Each piece works together to protect your loved ones in different situations.

MYTH 04

“My Loved Ones Know What I Would Want”

THE TRUTH

Even the closest people in your life can disagree about what you would have wanted. Without clear legal documentation, those disagreements can become costly legal battles and permanent rifts in relationships. Love is not a legal strategy. Documents are.

MYTH 05

“I Don’t Need a Plan Because I’m Single”

THE TRUTH

I hear this one often from single women — and it could not be further from the truth. Being single actually makes estate planning more urgent, not less. Without a spouse or partner who automatically inherits your assets, the state decides who gets everything. Without a healthcare power of attorney, a doctor may turn to a relative you would never have chosen. Without a plan, your independence and your wishes disappear the moment something goes wrong.

Single women have the most to gain from a solid Life and Legacy Plan — and the most to lose without one.

MYTH 06

“I Can Just Use an Online Template”

THE TRUTH

I understand the appeal — online tools are fast and cheap. But a generic template cannot know your personal dynamics, your state’s specific laws, your business interests, or the nuances of your situation. Worse, a poorly drafted document can actually create more problems than having no document at all. You deserve better than a one-size-fits-all solution.

MYTH 07

“I Did My Estate Plan Years Ago — I’m Set”

THE TRUTH

An estate plan is not a one-and-done document. Major life events — marriage, divorce, a new baby, the death of a beneficiary, a move to a new state, a new business — can all affect whether your plan still works the way you intended. Plans should be reviewed every three to five years and after any major life change.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning is one of the most loving, practical things you can do for the people in your life. It does not have to be overwhelming or expensive — especially when you have the right guide by your side.

At Enliven Law, we make the process feel manageable and even meaningful. Because when you understand what your plan does and why it matters, it stops being something you dread and becomes something you are proud of.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need an estate plan if I’m not wealthy?

Yes. Estate planning is not about the size of your estate — it is about protecting the people you love. If you have children, own a car or home, or have wishes about your medical care, you need an estate plan, regardless of your net worth.

At what age should I create an estate plan?

If you are over 18 and you love someone, you should have an estate plan. Unexpected events can happen at any age, and a plan ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Is a will enough, or do I need a trust too?

A will alone must go through probate, a public court process that can take months and cost thousands of dollars. A complete Life & Legacy Plan usually includes a trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and updated beneficiary designations working together.

Do single people in Colorado need an estate plan?

Yes — arguably more so. Without a spouse who automatically inherits, Colorado intestacy laws decide who receives your assets, and without a healthcare power of attorney, a doctor may turn to a relative you would not have chosen.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review your plan every three to five years and after any major life change, such as marriage, divorce, a new baby, a move to a new state, or starting a business.

Where can I get an estate plan in Denver, Colorado?

Enliven Law serves individuals, single parents, couples, and business owners throughout Denver, Colorado. Call (303) 900-1003 or visit enlivenlaw.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.

ALEXA TETZLAFF, ESQ.

Estate planning attorney at Enliven Law, helping individuals, families, single parents, couples, and business owners across Denver and Colorado create plans that protect what matters most.

Enliven Law  ·  (303) 900-1003  ·  enlivenlaw.com