P127 The Relationship between Narrative Framing, Regulatory Focus, and Estate Planning Intentions: An Experimental Design on Revocable Trusts

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM–6:30 PM PDT
Room 6 Posters
Short Description

This study explores impact of storytelling and narrative framing on the intention to meet with an estate planning professional to discuss revocable trusts. Additional factors like trust, industry experience, and personal experience with estate planning will also be included in the analysis. This study collects primary data through a survey tool distributed via CloudResearch. Structural equation modeling (SEM) will be utilized to analyze the impact of narrative on intention to meet with an estate planning professional about a revocable living trust, with regulatory focus acting as a moderating variable. This study is novel in that it focuses on a population of adults between the ages of 25 and 55; most studies address adults at or near retirement. As less than half of Americans have a documented estate plan, revocable trusts offer a unique in that they can serve as a will substitute while addressing incapacity, increasing privacy, and reducing the potential for court intervention. The anticipated results will be of interest to practitioners and educators, expanding understanding of individuals without an estate plan and factors that may impact changing that status.

Type of presentation

Accepted Poster Presentation

Submitter

C. Ramel Strong, Western Carolina University

Authors

C. Ramel Strong, Western Carolina University
HanNa Lim, California State University, Fullerton
Megan McCoy, Kansas State University
Shelitha Smodic, Kansas State University
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