This paper examines the persistent racial wealth gap between Black and White households in the United States, focusing on the disparity in will-writing rates as a contributing factor. Despite attempts to bridge the wealth gap since Emancipation, progress has stalled, and since the 1980s, the gap has actually widened. The analysis investigates the potential for…
The gap in wealth between Black and White households has plagued the United States for more than a century. One reason for the lack of progress may be a disparity in will-writing by race – Black households are far less likely to have a valid will than their White counterparts. Having a will is associated…