You don’t have to worry about school districts or carpool schedules—but you do have to worry about something most single people overlook: protecting yourself and your wishes in your lifetime.
Who will make medical decisions for you if you get in an accident? Who will access your accounts to pay your bills if you become incapacitated? Without a legally appointed person, the answer could be “no one”. That is why estate planning is critical for single people without children.
7 out of 10 single people do not have a will, and a staggering 58% of American women have no estate planning documents at all.
Many assume that without a spouse or children, planning is unnecessary, or they think, “I don’t have kids, so it’s not urgent,” or “It’s too complicated to think about.”
When you are your own core family, the system doesn’t have a default setting for you. Without your direct instructions, a stranger—a state-appointed judge—could be left to decide what happens to the life you’ve so carefully built.
When you pass away without a will, the court takes over. This process is called dying intestate. Because you don’t have a legal spouse or children, state laws kick in, and they are incredibly rigid.
The major consequence for single people is the Disregard of Choice:
🚫 Your Chosen Family Is Excluded: State intestacy laws prioritize blood relatives (parents, then siblings, then nieces/nephews). This means your life partner, the best friend who was closer than family, or the charity you dedicated years to cannot legally inherit your assets.
🐶 Your Best Friend Is at Risk: A will is the only place to legally designate who will care for your beloved pet and to set aside funds for their future care. Without it, your pet’s future is uncertain.
🔑 Control of Your Health: If you are incapacitated, your parents or siblings—not your trusted friend—may gain the legal right to make major healthcare decisions, regardless of your personal wishes.
Let’s redefine legacy. Your legacy isn’t just about money; it’s about impact. It’s the niece or nephew whose education you want to support. It’s the best friend who has been your chosen family for decades. It’s the charitable cause you’re passionate about, or the beloved pet who needs care.
You have the power to ensure your wealth and wishes support the future you envision. Modern legacy is deeply personal, with many people prioritizing passing down values and life lessons as their most meaningful contribution. Your plan is the vehicle for those values.
A comprehensive estate plan for a single person addresses two key areas: life and legacy.
For Your Life (During Your Life)
• Healthcare Power of Attorney - Appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions if you cannot.
• Durable Financial Power of Attorney - Authorizes someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re incapacitated.
• Living Will - Outlines your preferences for end-of-life medical care.
For Your Legacy (After You’re Gone)
• Will - Directs where your assets go—to friends, family, or charities. Without it, state “intestacy” laws take over.
• Digital Asset Plan - Provides instructions for your online life—from social media and photo libraries to cryptocurrency and loyalty points, which can hold real financial and sentimental value.
You don’t need expensive attorney fees or confusing legal jargon. The NextofKin App was built for modern, independent people who value simplicity and control. We transform the idea of “digital asset planning” into quick, intuitive steps that affirms every intentional choice you’ve ever made about your life and finances.
We aimed to create a platform that would be:
Guided and Simple: Clear, step-by-step processes that help you inventory your digital assets and document your wishes in plain English.
Accessible: Done on your time, from your home, without requiring a law degree to understand.
Secure and Legally Sound: Attorney-approved documents tailored to your state’s laws, giving you and your family peace of mind.
This transforms the daunting tasks into an empowering act of control.
We built The NextofKin App to be that immediate, simple, and empowering solution - transforming complex digital estate planning tasks into a single, intuitive process you can complete in minutes.
Our platform:
• Future-Proofs Your Wishes - Securely catalog and encrypt high-value digital access: social media logins, NFTs, crypto keys, etc. Create a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive, ensuring the person you trust the most is legally empowered to manage your finances and speak for you medically if you are unable.
• Assigns Beneficiaries - Legally designate your chosen beneficiaries—your life partner, best friend, or specific charities—ensure your assets go where you want them to go, not where the state dictates.
• Prepares For The Unexpected - Utilize our smart verification check-ins to ensure that if the unexpected happens, your plan is instantly and legally triggered, guaranteeing a smooth, fast transition and minimal financial disruption. Or clearly name a caregiver for your pet and set aside funds, guaranteeing they are loved and cared for no matter what.
You just need to start. Don’t wait for a “someday” that may never come.
Take control of your story. Start building your legacy today.
