One in Four Americans Have Never Discussed Inheritance With Family

A significant portion of Americans, up to one in four, have never discussed inheritance with their families, according to a new national survey. The 2026 Death & Inheritance Report, released by digital estate planning platform Trust & Will, surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults and challenges common assumptions about when these conversations occur.

The findings suggest the obstacle is not death itself, but timing. Counterintuitively, Americans find birthday parties to be a more awkward setting for discussing inheritance than funerals. Christmas, a holiday not typically associated with somber reflection, is identified as the most avoided occasion for such discussions.

Trust & Will's research indicates that 22% of respondents stated that inheritance matters are discussed without any specific reason, and 38% of the most recent conversations took place during an ordinary visit or phone call. While Christmas is mentioned most often (16%) as a holiday that initiates conversations, it is also the situation that 37% avoid the most, more than any other occasion.

Discussing inheritance at a family member's birthday was rated the most awkward situation by 63% of respondents, even more so than Thanksgiving dinner (62%) or a major sporting event (59%). Funerals or wakes were considered awkward by only 41%, with a regular phone call being the easiest setting at 32%.

The report also highlighted that 46% of Americans expect to receive an inheritance, yet half of them have never formally discussed it with the person leaving it. Furthermore, 12% anticipate inheriting debts. Among those who have lost a close family member in the last five years, 40% reported that the deceased died without a proper estate plan in place.