Look, I get it. Estate planning is right up there with getting a root canal or cleaning out the garage. It's the ultimate "I'll do it tomorrow" task. And hey, I'm not judging – I've been known to reorganize my entire sock drawer just to avoid making important decisions too!

Why We're All Masters of the Estate Planning Dodge
Let's face it, none of us want to imagine a world without our amazing selves in it. Plus, who has time to figure out Massachusetts probate law when there's a new season of that show you've been meaning to binge?

Take my friend "Sarah" (who is totally not me in a clever disguise). Sarah kept saying she'd get to her estate plan "next month" for approximately 47 next months. Her reasoning? "I don't own enough stuff for anyone to fight over!"

Spoiler alert: her family found out the hard way that even modest assets can cause massive headaches in Massachusetts probate court.

What Happens When We Keep Hitting "Snooze"
When we put off estate planning in Massachusetts, we're essentially telling the state, "Hey, could you make some really important decisions for me? And maybe make them in the most complicated, expensive way possible? Thanks!"

Without an estate plan in Massachusetts:

• Your brother-in-law who you haven't spoken to in years might have more say in your medical care than your partner
• Your kids' guardian could be determined by a judge who's never met your family
• The commonwealth of Massachusetts becomes your estate's new best friend (tax-wise)

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As my grandmother used to say, "Failing to plan is planning to fail... and planning to pay a lot more in taxes and legal fees."

Baby Steps That Even a Professional Procrastinator Can Handle

1. The "One Tiny Thing" Approach
Instead of tackling the whole enchilada, just do one taco-sized task. For example, jot down who you'd want to take care of your beloved pet iguana, Reginald.

Like my neighbor "Bob" (again, not me) who kept putting off his estate plan until his attorney suggested just starting with naming his healthcare proxy. "I can handle picking one person who would definitely unplug me if I start singing Broadway tunes in my sleep," Bob decided.

2. The Calendar Commitment
Block off 30 minutes – yes, just half the time of a sitcom episode – to make one phone call to a Massachusetts estate planning attorney.
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My cousin "Maria" (still not me) finally made progress by scheduling "Estate Planning Power Hour" on her calendar every Tuesday. She even made it festive with snacks. "Nothing says 'let's talk about my eventual demise' like cheese and crackers," she joked.

3. The "Make It Less Awful" Method
Pair estate planning with something you actually enjoy.

My colleague "Dave" (you guessed it, not me) finally completed his will by promising himself a fancy dinner out in Boston for each estate planning task completed. "I've never been so motivated to name an executor as when there was a lobster roll at stake," he admitted.

Massachusetts Makes It... Interesting
Here in the Bay State, we have our own special quirks that make procrastination particularly costly:

• Massachusetts has an estate tax threshold of $2 million, which sounds like a lot until you realize your house, retirement accounts, and life insurance can push you over that limit faster than you can say "tax exemption"
• Our homestead protection laws are powerful but only if you actually file the declaration (which takes about 10 minutes but somehow never gets done)
• Massachusetts requires specific language in health care proxies that online templates often miss

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As my attorney friend jokes, "Massachusetts probate court is where good intentions go to die... along with a significant portion of your estate."

Just Start Somewhere (Anywhere!)
Remember, a "good enough" estate plan beats a perfect plan that never happens. Even a basic will written on a napkin is better than leaving your family with nothing but questions (though please use actual legal paper, not an actual napkin).

I promise you'll sleep better knowing you've taken even one small step. And if you're still procrastinating, remember this: completing your estate plan means you can officially cross it off your to-do list and get back to more important things – like finally organizing that sock drawer.