Estate Planning For Single People

Estate planning is not just for couples or parents--it’s for anyone who wants to take control of their future. If you’re single, creating an estate plan is a smart and empowering step to ensure your wishes for the future are clearly documented and honored. From naming someone you trust to handle medical or financial decisions, to outlining who should receive your assets, the following article will walk you through estate planning for singles. 

What to do with an estate if there are no kids?

Even if there are no kids, an estate still needs to be planned for and passed on in the future. Oftentimes, adult children are the default choice for executor of an estate or power of attorney. Without this option, consider hiring a professional for the role, or selecting a trusted relative or friend. 

When deciding how to divide your assets, think about close friends and extended family. There are no official guidelines stating who to pass along assets or cherished heirlooms to. For some singles, passing on funds to a niece or nephew may feel like the right choice, while others may find a trusted friend or even charity to be the best beneficiary. 

Once you decide who will take on these trusted roles and how to divide your assets, the estate planning process becomes more about planning and logistics. Do you have pets or anyone you currently support financially to plan for? Are your healthcare preferences clear and documented? Do you have any special requests for end-of-life care or funeral arrangements? 

While these topics can be difficult to think through, they are crucial aspects of estate planning for singles. Even if you do not have children, you still have a legacy worth protecting. Estate planning helps ensure the people and values that matter most to you are honored.

Does a single person need an estate plan?

Yes, as a single person you still need an estate plan to ensure your wishes are documented and protected. An estate plan is just as important for singles as it is for those with spouses and children. WIthout an estate plan, critical decisions about your health, finances, and assets could be left to the courts or state laws. 

An estate plan allows you to appoint someone to make medical or financial decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so (for example, by nominating a power of attorney). An estate plan also allows you to specify how your belongings, savings, and even digital accounts should be handled after you’re gone. Whether you want to support family members, friends, or even a cause you care about, an estate plan ensures your wishes are known and respected. 

What type of will is best for a single person?

For most single individuals, a simple Last Will and Testament is the best fit. It allows you to:

• Name who should inherit your assets

• Appoint an executor to carry out your wishes

• Specify your preferences for final arrangements

• Choose someone to make decisions for you, if needed (via related health and financial documents)

If your situation is straightforward—no dependents, limited assets, and no complicated estate—you likely don’t need a more complex version of a will. A well-crafted, legally valid will through a service like Trust & Will’s Will Plan can cover all the key decisions and provide peace of mind.

If you own significant property, have business interests, or want more control over how and when your assets are distributed, you may want to explore the option of creating a trust. 

What is the best trust for a single person?

For a single person, a Revocable Living Trust is often the best type of trust. It offers flexibility, control, and long-term protection without requiring a complex or costly setup. A Revocable Living Trust can:

• Avoid probate, helping your loved ones skip the lengthy and often expensive court process after you pass

• Keep your affairs private, unlike a will, which becomes part of the public record during probate

• Give you control, letting you update the trust as your life and assets change

• Allow for customized distribution, so you can leave specific gifts, stagger distributions over time, or support charitable causes

Trust & Will’s Trust Plan includes a Revocable Living Trust along with other essential documents like a Pour-Over Will, Power of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directive. If you have property, savings, or want to simplify things for loved ones later on, a Revocable Living Trust can be a strong foundation for your estate plan. 

Who should be my beneficiary if I'm single?

If you're single, choosing a beneficiary comes down to who or what matters most to you. You have the freedom to direct your legacy in a way that reflects your values, relationships, and goals. Common options include:

• Family members – such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or cousins

• Close friends or caretakers – people who’ve played a meaningful role in your life

• Charitable organizations – causes you care deeply about

There’s no right or wrong answer—it’s about what feels right to you. If no one immediately comes to mind, consider the impact you want to have or the people and organizations that have supported you. Your estate plan is a way to honor those connections and ensure your legacy reflects your wishes.

Health Care and Power of Attorney

If you’re single, having a Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney in place is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself. Without a legal spouse or default decision-maker, no one is automatically authorized to speak on your behalf if you're unable to communicate. These documents let you choose someone you trust to make medical and financial decisions for you.

What happens if you don't have a will or estate plan?

If you don’t have a will or estate plan in place, state laws—not you—decide what happens to everything you leave behind. Your assets could be distributed to distant relatives or even to the state, while close friends and chosen family may be left with nothing. If you became unable to make a medical decision, no one would be legally authorized to step in on your behalf unless a court intervened. 

Estate planning as a single person is about making your own choices—before someone else has to. Look for gaps in decision-making, like who would handle your finances or health care if you're unable to. Be intentional about who you trust and how you want your assets distributed. Remember that creating an estate plan puts you in control of your future. 

At Trust & Will, we keep things simple. You can create a fully customizable, state-specific estate plan from the comfort of your own home. Take our free quiz to see where you should get started, or compare our different estate planning and settlement  options today!

Is there a question here we didn’t answer? Browse more topics in our learn center, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page,  or chat with our member support!

Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.