A lot of people don't worry about estate planning because they figure they don't have enough money to worry about it. So, if you're worth less than that, why worry about estate planning.
Estate planning does a lot more than just reduce taxes.
The problem, of course, is that I never come upon people just as the game is starting. Thus, they've already made investments, and sometimes, even a will. But this doesn't mean they've ever done any serious estate planning. There are critical legal implications for each of these decisions, and only an attorney can tell you the best way you should handle matters such as these. The problem of course, is that you didn't get your mutual funds, insurance or your house from an attorney.