Applying the theory of planned behavior in estate planning

Purpose The purpose of this study is to apply the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to better understand estate planning behavior. Design/methodology/approach Data are obtained from online surveys, collected at two points in time, including 261 participants in the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to validate new measures. Findings First, data confirm the hypothesized factor structure for the TPB-based estate planning measures. Second, the SEM results support predicted positive relationships between attitude towards estate planning, estate planning perceived behavior control and behavioral intention to prepare an estate plan and between behavioral intention to prepare an estate plan and estate planning behavior. Originality/value First, this study creates a novel set of estate planning behavior related scales. Second, the study examines the relationships between estate planning factors associated with estate planning behavior, using the TPB.