There’s a common misconception that only couples need an estate plan. For many, it takes a major life event—like marriage or the birth of a child—to prompt action. But the truth is simple: everyone needs an estate plan, and single people often need one even more urgently than married couples.
Why It Matters If You're Not Married
In Ohio, a marriage certificate acts like a set of pre-signed legal protections. Married couples are automatically granted rights such as:
- Next-of-kin status
- “Dower” rights in real property
- Priority access to assets when one spouse passes away
If you’re single, these protections do not apply. That means without planning ahead, your long-term partner, best friend, or closest sibling may have no legal standing to help you in a crisis.
The Hidden Risk: Incapacity Without Protection
Most people associate estate planning with death, but for single professionals, the more urgent issue is incapacity—being unable to make decisions due to illness or injury.
For a married person in Ohio, a spouse is typically the default decision-maker in emergencies. But for a single person, no one is automatically authorized.
If you don’t have the right documents in place, your loved ones may be locked out of your financial and medical decisions. They could be forced into an expensive, time-consuming court process (Guardianship or Conservatorship) just to step in—and the court might appoint someone you wouldn’t have chosen.
3 Essential Documents Every Single Professional in Ohio Needs
To close this legal gap, you need an estate plan built around these three key documents:
1. Financial Power of Attorney (POA)
This appoints someone you trust—like a parent, sibling, or close friend—to manage your financial life if you're incapacitated. They can:
- Pay bills and taxes
- Manage your home and insurance claims
- Access accounts and investments
2. Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) & Living Will
Together, these ensure your medical care reflects your values and preferences.
- HCPOA: Names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf (e.g., approve surgery, discuss treatment plans).
- Living Will: Gives clear instructions for end-of-life care, such as the use of life support or feeding tubes.
3. Last Will and Testament (or Trust)
Your Will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes—not the state’s formula.
Without a Will
- Your assets are distributed according to Ohio's intestate succession laws. That means they go to your parents, then siblings, and then extended relatives—in that order.
- The court appoints an Administrator to manage your estate, and you have no say in who that person is.
With a Will
- You decide exactly who receives your assets—whether it’s a friend, long-term partner, godchild, or favorite nonprofit.
- You get to choose your Executor (also called a Personal Representative), someone you trust to carry out your wishes and manage your estate responsibly.
Many single people want to leave assets to non-traditional heirs—a godchild, a close friend, a nonprofit, or a long-term roommate. Only a Will makes that legally binding.
Your Life, Your Legacy—Take Control Now
As a single professional, you’re building your life, wealth, and relationships. You deserve the same protections and peace of mind as anyone else. An estate plan helps ensure:
- Your medical wishes are respected
- Your finances stay in trusted hands
- Your legacy reflects your real relationships—not just your bloodline
Don’t leave these decisions to the courts or the State of Ohio. Take the proactive step of meeting with an estate planning attorney to create a plan that protects what—and who—matters most.
Take control of your future today.
Schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney to create a plan that honors your life, your relationships, and your legacy.
