When you’re ready to finally put an estate plan in place, it’s natural to feel excited and relieved. You’re taking a powerful step to protect your family, get organized, and make sure everything is handled the way you want if you become incapacitated and when you die. But what happens when your spouse doesn’t share your enthusiasm? Maybe they roll their eyes, insist you don’t need that, or even agree to a meeting only to shut it down once they’re there.

It can leave you feeling frustrated, embarrassed, or even hopeless. The good news is that there are ways to move forward, protect your family, and bring your spouse along, sometimes sooner than you think. In this article, you’ll learn why hesitation happens, how to have an effective conversation, and what steps you can take even if your spouse isn’t ready.

Why One Spouse Often Says No

Estate planning can trigger deep fears and misconceptions. While one partner may see planning as an act of love, the other might see it as unnecessary, uncomfortable, or even threatening.

There are many reasons one spouse might resist:

• Fear of confronting mortality. For many, talking about death or incapacity feels morbid or unlucky, so avoidance can feel easier.
• Perceived cost or complexity. If one spouse assumes planning is expensive, a “nice-to-have,” or just for the wealthy, they may dismiss it before understanding what’s involved.
• Mistrust or control concerns. Some spouses fear losing control over assets or decision-making. Others may distrust the legal process or believe they’re protecting the family by avoiding lawyers.
• Past experiences or procrastination. A bad experience with a lawyer, or simply being overwhelmed by daily life, can make estate planning feel like one more thing on a long to-do list.

Understanding where the resistance comes from helps you respond with compassion instead of conflict. When you see hesitation as fear rather than defiance, you can approach your spouse in a way that builds trust and connection.

Sometimes, simply changing how you approach the topic makes all the difference. When the goal shifts from getting them to agree to understanding what’s really behind the hesitation, meaningful progress can begin.

How to Have an Effective Conversation 

When emotions are high, pushing harder rarely helps. Instead, lead with empathy and curiosity. The goal isn’t to convince your spouse to plan. It’s to help them feel safe and understood enough to participate.

• Start with shared values. Rather than focusing on documents or legal terms, talk about what matters most: protecting each other, your children, or your home. You might say, “I just want to make sure you’re cared for and things are easy for you if something happens to me.”
• Acknowledge their feelings. If your spouse is anxious or skeptical, validate their perspective before offering information. “I get that this feels heavy. It’s not easy to think about, but I think we’ll both feel more at peace when it’s handled.”
• Invite, don’t insist. Invite your spouse to me with me, as your Personal Family Lawyer, for an educational conversation called a Life & Legacy Planning^Ⓡ Session. Many spouses relax once they realize planning is about guidance and empowerment, not pressure.
• Use real examples. Stories often communicate what logic can’t. If you’ve seen friends or family struggle when a loved one died or became incapacitated, share that gently and explain how you want to prevent the same hardship for your family.

When you approach planning as an act of love and teamwork rather than a legal task, the conversation becomes less about control and more about care. These compassionate conversations have the power to turn resistance into collaboration.

What You Can Do Even If They Still Resist

Even if your spouse continues to say no, you don’t have to wait to protect yourself or your family. You still have options, and taking action can inspire change later.

• Create your own Life & Legacy Plan with us. You can protect your share of assets, designate guardians for your children, name trusted people for your health and financial decisions, and ensure your wishes are honored. We will help you pick the right plan for you at a fee you can afford.
• Lead by example. Once your spouse sees how empowering it feels to have your plan in place, they may come around, especially when they realize you did it with confidence and peace of mind rather than pressure or conflict.
• Keep communication open. Share updates and involve your spouse in small ways, like reviewing beneficiary designations or organizing family finances. Familiarity often leads to comfort.
• Revisit later. Your plan should change with you over time. Life events like a new baby, home purchase, illness, or retirement  - or changes in the law or your assets mean your plan needs updating or it will fail. When you work with me, I will review your plan at least every three years (annually if you’re part of my FamilyCare Program). 

In many cases, once your spouse sees how simple and supportive the process can be, their hesitation often turns into engagement. If not, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you’ve done all you can for everyone you love so their lives are easier after you die. You can cultivate that peace even if your spouse isn’t on board.

Protecting the People You Love, No Matter What

Estate planning isn’t about creating a set of documents; it’s about making sure the people you love are protected from unnecessary hardship. Even if your spouse isn’t ready, you can still take meaningful steps now to give your family peace of mind.

As your Personal Family Lawyer®, I will make sure your family has the clarity, guidance, and support they’ll need so they don’t have to untangle a mess when you die. It’s the greatest gift you can give to everyone you love.

📞 Schedule your complimentary 15-minute Discovery Call today to take the first step:

‍

Schedule Call Now by Clicking HERE!

This article is a service of Bret Christiansen, a Personal Family Lawyer^Ⓡ Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

‍