Why Your Fertility Journey Needs an Estate Plan (and Other Surprising Truths No One Tells You)

Posted on 26 June 2025 by Marcus Williams — 5 min

What do wills, at-home insemination kits, and a third-grader’s blunt questions have in common? More than you think—and it’s about time we talked about it.

Let’s set the scene: you’re knee-deep in ovulation trackers, comparing sperm motility rates like you’re at a Pokémon tournament, and you’ve officially memorized the difference between follicular fluid and pre-seed lube. You’re investing in your family’s future, one insemination kit at a time. But here’s the jaw-dropping twist—most people put more thought into their Amazon cart than their estate plan. (Yes, I said it!)

Now, don’t click away yet—this is where it gets interesting. Imagine you’re Casey Cohen, CMO at The Estate Registry, and you’re having “the talk” (no, not that talk) with your elementary-aged daughter about what happens if you die. Not in a morbid, black-candles-and-Gothic-chic kind of way, but in an honest, completely logical, “because I love you” way. You can read his game-changing approach in his own words, and it got me thinking: why do we tiptoe around the big conversations that actually protect our loved ones?

Fertility Isn’t Just Science—It’s Future-Proofing

When you invest in your fertility journey—whether it’s tracking cycles, freezing sperm, or wielding a home insemination kit like a fertility Avenger—you’re making some very adult decisions. You’re mapping out your future, block by careful block. But as Cohen points out, family-building isn’t just about adding members; it’s about protecting them too.

So here’s the open loop: You've figured out how to get pregnant at home (thanks to innovations like the MakeAMom at-home insemination kits—which, by the way, are as cleverly discreet as your 3AM Amazon package), but have you figured out what happens after the baby arrives?

The Awkward, Necessary Chat About the Unexpected

Let’s be real: most of us would rather binge-watch reality TV than talk about estate planning. But as Cohen’s story shows, talking about what if isn’t doomsaying—it’s love in action. It’s “I’d rather you know stuff now than scramble later.”

Start Early: Cohen’s daughter was still in elementary school. Kids are surprisingly chill about these things (and often way more perceptive than we give them credit for).
Keep It Normal: Talking about your future plans—who will care for them, what you’re building together—should be as routine as bedtime stories or explaining why dad eats kale now.
Include the Unspoken: Whether you’re a single parent, a couple, or co-parenting crew, let everyone know the plan. This is especially important for families who have used donor sperm, at-home insemination, or have nontraditional setups. (Pro tip: Document everything!)

Plan for the Family You Have and the Family You Hope For

Here’s a question worth pondering: is your fertility planning as thorough as your estate planning? Or vice versa? Most of us treat one as a science experiment and the other as a superstition. Time to close the gap.

Why bother? Because: - You want your partner (or bestie or sister) to have clear legal rights, not just fuzzy intentions. - You don’t want a judge guessing your wishes on a random Tuesday in 2047. - Your future child deserves more than a scrapbook—they deserve clarity, a sense of belonging, and security.

The Fertility-Estate Checklist: Two Birds, One Empowered Family

Medical Directives: Who makes decisions if you can’t?
Guardianship: Who gets the “please don’t let them eat only cereal” instructions?
Beneficiaries: Who inherits? (Babies are cute, but lawyers are not.)
Family Stories: Don’t forget to record the how and why of your family-building journey!

This stuff matters even more when you’ve conceived outside traditional settings—through at-home insemination, egg or sperm donors, or surrogacy. And it’s not just about the worst-case scenario. It’s about giving your child a sense of identity and intention.

The New Conversation—And the New Normal

If you’re still in the throes of ovulation predictor kits and home insemination (have you checked out the variety on MakeAMom’s ultra-informative site?), now’s the perfect time to future-proof the outcome you’re working so hard to achieve. Because fertility isn’t just about making a baby. It’s about making a plan—for yourself, your partner, and the tiny human (or humans) you hope to welcome soon.

So, take a cue from Casey Cohen: Talk early, talk often, and talk with love—not just about conception, but about everything that comes after. That’s the ultimate act of family-building.

What’s your family plan—beyond the pregnancy test? Would you rather discuss motility stats or guardianship clauses? (Trick question…it should be both!) Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your journey, your way—future included.