Objectives This study assesses the impact of family instability during childhood on adult intentions to seek healthcare when depressed or in pain, adding to research on the long‐term consequences of family instability and on care seeking. Methods Logistic regression is used with survey data collected from nearly 600 service workers in Sacramento, CA and Victoria, British Columbia. Results Adults who experienced high levels of familial disruption, defined as five or more changes, during childhood are less likely to say that they would seek healthcare when experiencing mental and physical distress. This pattern is independent of a number of demographic attributes, mediating mechanisms, mental and physical health status, and health‐care access. Conclusions Family instability in childhood has long‐term consequences for health‐care seeking intentions. This instability within a primary social institution, the family, may shake the very foundation upon which trust in other institutions is formed.