SPRINGFIELD, MO, May 14, 2026

The Piatchek Law Firm is drawing attention to a growing estate planning crisis that is funneling millions of American families into the probate process each year. With new national data revealing that more than half of all U.S. adults lack any form of estate plan, probate attorney Joseph J. Piatchek is calling on Missouri families to take proactive steps before assets become trapped in lengthy court proceedings.

National Data Reveals a Deepening Preparedness Crisis

The Trust & Will 2026 Estate Planning Report, a survey of 5,000 U.S. adults released in April 2026, found that 56% of Americans have no estate planning documents whatsoever — no will, no trust, no power of attorney, and no healthcare directive. That figure is virtually unchanged from 55% the prior year, despite growing public awareness and increased availability of planning tools. Will ownership alone fell five percentage points in a single year, dropping from 31% in 2025 to just 26% in 2026. Perhaps most alarming, 42% of Americans said they would not know what to do if a family member died today.

“When someone passes away without a will or trust in place, their property becomes stuck in that person’s name, and probate is the only legal process to get it unstuck,” said Joseph J. Piatchek, Managing Attorney at the Piatchek Law Firm. “We are seeing families come to us who had no idea probate would be required, and many are overwhelmed by the timeline and complexity involved.”

Historic Wealth Transfer Intensifies Urgency for Missouri Families

The estate planning gap takes on added significance amid what researchers have called the largest intergenerational wealth shift in history. According to a June 2025 report from Cerulli Associates, an estimated $124 trillion in assets will change hands through 2048, with baby boomers responsible for passing down approximately $79 trillion to younger generations and charitable causes. Without proper estate plans in place, a substantial portion of those assets will be subject to the probate process — a proceeding the American Bar Association notes typically takes six to nine months and can cost between 3% and 8% of an estate’s total value.

The Piatchek Law Firm has observed increased inquiries from families across southwest Missouri seeking guidance on probate administration, particularly from adult children navigating the estates of aging parents. The firm’s probate lawyers handle all types of Missouri probate cases, from typical estate administrations and small estates to determinations of heirship and ancillary probate proceedings.

“The national data confirms what we have been experiencing locally,” said Piatchek. “More families are realizing that without advance planning, probate is unavoidable. Our role as a probate attorney is to help them navigate that process as efficiently and affordably as possible, while also educating them on how to protect remaining family members from facing the same situation.”

Families seeking assistance from a probate attorney in Springfield, MO, or throughout Missouri can contact the Piatchek Law Firm at 417-242-4015 or visit ozarkslawfirm.com to schedule a complimentary consultation. The firm offers evening and weekend appointments as well as home visits for clients unable to travel to the office.

About The Piatchek Law Firm

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC, is a full-service law firm located at 1546 E. Bradford Parkway in Springfield, Missouri. Founded by probate attorney and Managing Attorney Joseph J. Piatchek, a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law, the firm provides legal services across more than a dozen practice areas, including probate law, estate planning, business law, real estate, family law, elder law, and civil litigation. The firm’s probate lawyers guide families through all forms of Missouri probate, including typical estate administrations, small estates valued at $40,000 or less, refusal of letters, determination of heirship, and ancillary probate. The Piatchek Law Firm is BBB accredited and serves clients throughout all Missouri counties, including Greene, Christian, Taney, Stone, Webster, and Lawrence counties.

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Media Contact:

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

Phone: 417-720-8104

Fax: 417-882-5951

Website: https://ozarkslawfirm.com

Address: 1546 E. Bradford Parkway, Springfield, MO 65804

Contact Information:

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

1200 East Woodhurst Drive T-200
Springfield, MO 65804
United States

Joseph Piatchek
(417) 612-9116
https://ozarkslawfirm.com/