Resource Center

The holiday season is the perfect moment to start a different kind of preservation — the conversation about legacy, planning, and what we want to leave behind.

If you’ve lost a close family member, you’ve probably experienced needing to make final arrangements, settling final bills, going through financial records, etc. While it may not be at the very top of the list of things to do during this emotional time, surviving spouses should look at several estate planning considerations in the year following the death of their partner.

She’s 26. Her parents are in their mid-60s. What starts as a daily makeup routine slowly turns into a vulnerable chat on mortality, legacy, and the fears she carries about the future. Angelina wonders if her kids will know her parents like she did. She envies peers whose parents are younger, more energetic, likely to stick around longer. She even wonders whether it’s fair to feel this way.

Do an image search for “estate planning” and you’ll likely see lots of pictures of couples, some young, some older, many with kids. But singles – many without kids – have specific estate planning needs that shouldn’t be ignored.

If you've got a life partner but no marriage certificate, estate planning is a must. Without it, neither of you will inherit from each other—and neither of you will have a say in the other's end-of-life medical care. If you die without a valid will, state law will dictate where your solely owned property goes after your death, and it won't go to an unmarried partner. Instead, if you have no children, your closest relatives, including your parents, would inherit.

Whether it’s a binder full of trading cards or a perfectly curated bookshelf full of your favorite figurines, these things aren’t just fun to have—they’re part of your estate. And being intentional about what happens to them doesn’t take the fun away. If anything, it helps you enjoy it even more, knowing you’ve got your bases covered.

It’s important to focus on conversations — talking with people in your life about what’s important to you, to make sure your wishes are understood and respected. We’ve heard from LGBTQ+ individuals that in addition to these important conversations, documentation of wishes — making sure they are written down and recognized — is an essential focus, too.

Estate planning is often associated with married couples and those who are wealthy. However, single parents who are solely responsible for their children’s well-being should also prioritize estate planning. As a parent, you likely care deeply about your child’s future. Estate planning is a phenomenal way to proactively plan for the future and the various unknowns that come with it.

Losing a spouse is like losing half of who you are. This tragic event comes with not only adjusting to a life without your loved one but also navigating the unfamiliar territory of finances. This can be especially true for women who have been accustomed to leaving financial matters to their husbands. There are many considerations to keep in mind when navigating this new territory.

According to one estimate, about a quarter of all marriages and nearly two-thirds (63%) of remarriages involve stepchildren. No matter how loving and successful, such arrangements often pose unique personal and financial challenges that may only intensify as wealth transfers from one generation to the next. For these reasons, careful estate planning, while highly recommended for any family, is especially vital for blended ones.