Whether you are widowed, divorced, or have simply built a life on your own terms, estate planning as a single person raises a distinct set of questions. Who will step in to make important decisions if you become unable to do so? Who will receive your assets after your death? And are the people you have informally relied on actually authorized to act on your behalf?
An estate plan allows you to answer those questions on your own terms rather than leaving them to state law or a court. It gives you the ability to name the people you trust to handle financial matters, make healthcare decisions, and carry out your wishes. It can also ease the burden on the people you care about by providing clear guidance during what is often an emotionally difficult time.
Taking the time now to put a plan in place can bring clarity, reduce uncertainty, and give you greater confidence about the future — for yourself and for the people who matter most to you.
Choosing the Right Decision-Makers
There may come a time when you need someone to handle financial matters or make medical decisions on your behalf. Without a formal nomination in place, a court may need to appoint a decision-maker based on state law if you become incapacitated — unable to manage your own affairs. Planning ahead gives you the ability to designate someone you trust rather than leaving that decision to a judge.
Two key roles to consider:
- Agent under a financial power of attorney. This person handles your financial matters — paying bills, managing accounts, and completing transactions. The document defines the specific authority granted and specifies when the agent may act. The right person for this role is someone responsible, organized, and able to dedicate real time to it. If no family member or close friend fits that description, working with a qualified professional is a reasonable alternative.
- Agent under a medical power of attorney. If you are unable to communicate or make medical decisions, this person steps in on your behalf. Naming a healthcare agent — rather than relying on a court-appointed individual — allows you to retain control over who makes those decisions. Choose someone who understands your values and is willing to advocate for them under pressure. Keep in mind that California, like most states, restricts certain individuals — such as your healthcare providers — from serving in this role.
Choosing the Right Recipients
Without an estate plan, California’s intestacy laws determine who receives your assets. The default order moves from spouse to children or grandchildren, then to parents, siblings, and other relatives depending on who is living at the time. For single individuals — particularly those who are not close with their families or who wish to leave assets to specific people or causes — this default may not reflect their intentions at all.
It is also important to review beneficiary designations on financial accounts, life insurance policies, and retirement plans. These designations typically override your will because they transfer outside of probate — the court process for settling an estate.
- If no beneficiary is named, the asset may pass to your estate and require probate, adding time, cost, and complexity.
- In some cases, the account agreement will dictate a default order of recipients that may not align with your wishes.
- For retirement accounts, outdated or missing designations can also create unintended tax consequences.
Reviewing and updating your beneficiaries periodically is one of the simplest steps you can take to help make sure your assets reach the right people.
Tax Planning as a Single Individual
The tax landscape looks different for single individuals than it does for married couples. Married couples can transfer assets to each other at death without incurring federal estate tax and may be able to use each other’s unused exemption. As a single person, you have your own exemption to work with — currently $15 million for 2026 — meaning estates above that threshold may be subject to federal estate tax.
Lifetime gifting is also available as a planning tool. In 2026, you can give up to $19,000 per person each year without triggering gift tax or the need to file a return. While married couples can combine their exclusions to give larger amounts, single individuals can still use gifting strategically to reduce the size of their estate over time.
Those with more complex financial situations — significant assets, business interests, or international connections — may benefit from exploring more advanced strategies with experienced advisors.
Schedule Your Right Fit Conversation
Estate planning as a single person is not a lesser version of planning — it requires the same level of care and often demands more deliberate choices about who you trust and what you want to protect. Whether you are putting a plan in place for the first time or revisiting one that no longer reflects your current life, the Janet L. Brewer team is here to help. Your Right Fit Conversation is a 30-minute getting-to-know-you meeting designed to help us understand your situation and determine whether our firm is the right fit for your needs.
Call us at (650) 325-8276 or complete our online contact form to schedule your meeting.
