Should Singles Consider Estate Planning?

 Posted on April 29, 2025 in Estate Planning

When most people think about estate planning, they picture a married couple planning to leave inheritances behind for their children. But estate planning is just as important—maybe even more important—for people who are single. Just because you are not married and do not have children does not mean you do not have people and things you care about. You have a right to decide what will happen to your money, your property, and your health if something unexpected happens to you. When you have not left any instructions for how your property should be handled, laws go into effect that dictate what will happen regardless of what your wishes may have been. To learn more about how estate planning works for single people, speak with an experienced Illinois estate planning lawyer.

Why Is Estate Planning Important for Single People?

If you are single and you do not have a plan in place, your property will be handled according to Illinois law when you pass away. Certain family relationships that are automatically granted a relative’s assets if they pass away intestate, meaning they have no will or other form of expressing how they want their estate distributed after their death. That might mean your things go to some family members you are not close with and it could also mean that some people you care about get nothing at all.

Also, if you ever become very sick or unable to speak for yourself, someone will need to make decisions for you. Without legal documents in place, the court can choose someone to do this, and there is no guarantee that this person will be someone you would have trusted to carry out this important task.

What Should You Include in Your Estate Plan?

Here are some key parts of a simple but strong estate plan for single people:

A Will or Trust

A will lets you say who should get your property when you pass away. You can name friends, family members, or even a favorite charity. A trust can help you manage your property while you are alive and also avoid the long court process called probate when you pass away. These are two tools that give you control over what happens.

Power of Attorney for Health Care

This document lets you name someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do it yourself. For example, if you are in a coma or have surgery and cannot speak, this person can talk to the doctors and make decisions according to your wishes.

Power of Attorney for Property

This lets someone you trust take care of your finances if you are not able to. That might include paying bills, managing your bank accounts, or handling your home.

Beneficiary Designations

Some assets, like life insurance or retirement accounts, let you name a beneficiary. That means you can choose who gets the money directly, without needing a will. It is a good idea to check these regularly and keep them up to date.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Estate Planning Lawyer for Singles

Even if you do not have a lot of money or property, having an estate plan makes things much easier for your loved ones. A knowledgeable Lombard, IL estate planning attorney from A. Traub & Associates can help you understand your options and create documents that hold up in court. If you are single, it is important to decide who should get your things, who can speak for you, and how you want to be cared for. Call us at 630-426-0196 so we can explain how we would tailor your estate planning to suit your unique needs.