If you are single, you still need estate planning documents to protect your medical wishes, finances, and property if something unexpected happens. Without them, Massachusetts law may leave those decisions to courts or family members you did not choose.
Being unmarried or child-free does not mean you are exempt from planning ahead. In many ways, it means clear documentation matters more because there is no spouse to step in when you cannot speak for yourself.
Why Estate Planning Matters More When You Are Single
When you are married, the law often gives a spouse default authority over healthcare decisions and access to certain assets. When you are single, those assumptions disappear. If you become incapacitated or pass away without documents in place, decision-making may fall to relatives, even if they do not know your preferences or share your values.
Planning ahead lets you stay in control of:
- Who makes medical decisions for you
- What medical care you do or do not want
- Who manages your finances if you are incapacitated
- Who receives your assets when you die
These are not abstract concerns. Illness, injury, and incapacity can happen at any age.
What Is a Living Will in Massachusetts?
A living will, often called an advance directive, explains your wishes about life-sustaining treatment if you cannot communicate them yourself. This document addresses situations where you are facing a serious medical condition and cannot participate in decision-making.
A living will can clarify your preferences about:
- Use of a ventilator or breathing assistance
- Artificial nutrition or hydration, such as feeding tubes
- Pain management and comfort care
- End-of-life treatment decisions
Some people want all available measures used to prolong life. Others prefer limits if recovery is unlikely. A living will allows you to make those decisions in advance, rather than leaving loved ones to guess during a crisis.
What Is a Health Care Proxy?
A health care proxy allows you to appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated.
Your healthcare agent may need to act if you:
- Are unconscious after an accident
- Are temporarily unable to understand medical information
- Have a condition that limits communication
Without this document, doctors may receive conflicting input from friends or relatives, which can delay care. Naming one person with clear authority simplifies the process and helps ensure your wishes are respected.
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
A durable power of attorney allows you to name someone to handle financial and legal matters if you are unable to do so yourself. This authority can apply during temporary incapacity, not just after death, and it helps prevent delays when bills, property, or legal obligations need attention.
With a durable power of attorney in place, your chosen agent can manage tasks such as paying expenses, accessing accounts, handling insurance issues, and signing documents on your behalf. For single individuals, naming a trusted decision-maker in advance helps ensure continuity and avoids unnecessary complications during an already difficult time.
Do Single People Still Need a Will?
Yes. A will is not just for people with spouses or children. A will lets you decide who receives your property, rather than relying on Massachusetts intestacy laws to determine who does.
Without a will:
- Assets may go to relatives you would not have chosen
- Friends, partners, or charities may receive nothing
- The probate process can become more complicated
A will also allows you to name a personal representative to manage your estate and settle affairs, which can reduce confusion and delay.
Reviewing Beneficiary Designations Matters
Some assets pass outside of a will, based on beneficiary designations. These include:
- Life insurance policies
- Retirement accounts
- Investment accounts with transfer-on-death designations
- Certain bank accounts
If these designations are outdated, assets may go to someone you no longer intend to benefit. Regular reviews are especially important after major life changes. We often see single individuals overlook this step, even though it plays a major role in how assets transfer.
Planning Now Gives You More Control Later
Estate planning is not about predicting the future. It is about making informed decisions now, while you have the ability to do so. For single individuals, clear documents provide direction, reduce uncertainty, and keep important choices in your hands.
If you are single and have not put these documents in place, now is the right time to start. At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., we help Massachusetts clients create estate plans that reflect their priorities and their lives as they are today. Contact us to discuss documents that protect your voice, your choices, and your legacy.
