It is easy to see why so many otherwise responsible people procrastinate when it comes to preparing their wills. Nothing brings you face to face with your mortality like creating a document detailing how your final affairs are to be handled and your assets distributed, so it is no surprise so many folks put it off.

The reluctance may be understandable, but living without a will is an extremely risky thing to do. No matter what your age, it is important to have a will in place, both for your own peace of mind and the financial and emotional security of your loved ones. Here are seven reasons to start planning your will today.

1. You never know what the future will hold. The future is unpredictable, and being young and healthy is no guarantee that something bad will not happen. It is never too early to start planning for your future, and that includes having a comprehensive will and estate plan in place.
2. Avoiding family conflicts is important. Nothing is more tragic than family members fighting over the property of the deceased, yet it happens all the time. If you die without a will, you could unwittingly subject your heirs to this kind of behavior.
3. Make your wishes known. Talking about death is not easy or comfortable, but writing it all down can be a lot easier. By preparing your will, you make your wishes clear, from who gets the family home to how your remaining assets should be distributed.
4. Creating a will is a great way to assess your financial holdings. When you create a will, you take a close look at your financial assets, from real estate to investments. The process of writing a will can be very clarifying, allowing you to see your assets in a whole new light.
5. Having a will can give you peace of mind. Simply having a will can give you much needed peace of mind and help you sleep more soundly at night. If you have been worried about what will happen when you are gone, establishing a will could help you put those fears to rest.
6. Writing your will could help you identify gaps in the estate planning process. Your will may be the centerpiece of your estate plan, but it is not the only part. The process of creating a will can help you identify potential gaps in your overall estate plan, so you can address those deficiencies now and set things right.
7. A will could save your family members money. If you did without a will, your heirs could be forced into probate, and that process can be both lengthy and expensive. Establishing a will now could save your surviving family members from that financial burden.

Not having an estate plan, including a comprehensive will, is risky and irresponsible, and the sooner you create one the better off you will be. The seven reasons listed above are just the tip of the iceberg, and there are plenty of other reasons to start writing your will today.