Do I Really Need a Will if I’m Not Married?

Although estate planning may seem like a complex, costly, or unnecessary process, failing to make an estate plan can be more serious than you think. While an unmarried person may not necessarily need a complicated estate plan, some level of estate planning is always advisable. For example, if you are single but have a child, then estate planning may be important in order to designate a guardian for your child, or to place assets into a trust for the benefit of your child, if he or she is a minor. Otherwise, you will have no input into who will care for your child following your death, which is particularly concerning if your child is still a minor.

Furthermore, estate planning encompasses much more than dealing with your assets through a will. For instance, if you are estranged from your parents or other close family members, you may not wish them to inherit your assets, which is likely to occur if you die without a will. Likewise, you may have strong feelings about medical decisions in the event that you are incapacitated, or whom you want to make decisions about your care. In that case, you need to formally designate a person to make those decisions on your behalf, and/or dictate what type of medical care you want to receive in certain situations, which you can do through a patient advocate for health care. This document is typically part of a comprehensive estate plan.

Another reason to engage in estate planning may be to set up charitable contributions as part of your estate plan. Absent a will or other estate plan that directs your assets to a particular charity, your assets will be distributed according to Michigan laws of intestacy, which may not be what you want. Whether you want your assets to go to a charitable organization or a particular person, you need a will, and perhaps other estate planning documents, in order to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

Legacy Law Center handles all facets of estate planning for clients on a daily basis. We know how to best advise you, based on your circumstances, about the options for estate planning that are best for you and your family. Take the first step and call our office today to set up a meeting time with one of our Michigan estate planning attorneys.