I’m young, I’m single. Special considerations on writing a Will.

Originally published: May 13, 2015 | Last updated: August 11, 2025

How Many Young Americans Have a Will?

According to surveys, 64% of adults in the U.S. do not have a Last Will and Testament. The numbers are worse for younger age groups:

Young single people fall into two camps: deniers (who believe they do not need a Will) and procrastinators (who know they should but have not gotten around to it). Here is why both groups should act now.

Should You Write a Will If You Are Not Planning to Die?

The chances are you are not going to die anytime soon. CDC data shows you have only about a 2.5% chance of dying before age 35. So why write a Will?

Because a Will is not written in contemplation of death. It is part of sensible financial planning — a document in your financial portfolio that you review periodically and update when circumstances change. There should never be a time in your life when you are without an up-to-date Last Will and Testament.

With a service like USLegalWills.com at $39.95 with free lifetime updates, the cost objection disappears. You are not wasting money on a document that may not be needed for decades — you are maintaining a living document that evolves with your life.

Do You Really Have Nothing Worth Leaving?

You may look around your apartment and see a bed, a guitar, and a used car. But there is more to a Will than dividing possessions. Consider this:

• Wrongful death settlements — If you die in an accident where someone is liable, your estate could be worth millions. In Maryland alone, the average wrongful death settlement is $4.1 million.
• Life insurance payouts — Your employer may provide life insurance you have forgotten about
• Future assets — Your Will comes into effect when you die, which could be decades from now when you have accumulated significantly more

You have absolutely no idea how much you will be worth when you die. That alone is reason enough for writing a Will.

Should You Wait Until Your Life Settles Down?

No. We constantly hear people say they are waiting to get married, buy a house, or have children before writing a Will. One caller told us: “Fortunately, I don’t need a Will yet.”

Your life will change, and it will not stop changing. You cannot wait for stability that will never come. Instead:

• Write your Will now and update it when circumstances change
• With USLegalWills.com, updates are free — no additional fees like a lawyer would charge
• You should never be without a Will, even temporarily

If you are expecting a baby in August, do not hold off. Write your Will now, then update it in August. The cost of updating with a lawyer (several hundred dollars each time) makes procrastination understandable — but with online services, that barrier is gone.

Who Will Handle Your Affairs If You Do Not Choose?

A Will is not just about distributing possessions. You make critical appointments, most importantly your Executor. This person will:

• Deal with creditors, the IRS, and the court system
• Divide your assets and possessions
• Handle administrative paperwork

Your parents may seem like the obvious choice, but they may be grieving, aging, or lack the skills for the paperwork. Perhaps a sibling or trusted friend would be better equipped. Without a Will, the court appoints someone — and it may not be who you would have chosen.

Are Your Beneficiaries Really Obvious?

Without a Will, you die “intestate” and your state determines who receives your assets. For single people without children, assets typically go entirely to your parents. But consider:

• You may prefer your siblings receive something at their stage of life rather than your aging parents
• Your partner (boyfriend or girlfriend) receives absolutely nothing without a Will
• A close nephew, niece, or friend you want to remember
• Family dynamics that make default distribution inappropriate

Even if you want everything to go to your parents, a Will lets you take control rather than leaving it to state law.

Should Young People Consider Charitable Donations in a Will?

Your Will is an opportunity to contribute to causes you care about — social causes, community projects, education, preservation, the environment, healthcare, or your church. It is an unfortunate missed opportunity to not at least consider charitable giving as part of your estate plan.

What About Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directives?

Writing a Will is just one part of your estate plan. You should also prepare:

• Advance Directives / Living Will — Express your wishes for medical treatment if incapacitated
• Healthcare Power of Attorney — Name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
• Financial Power of Attorney — Authorize someone to manage your finances if you cannot

Family disputes over tough medical decisions are common when no directives exist. These documents let you proactively voice your preferences and designate a decision-maker during the most difficult times.

Why Are Digital Assets Especially Important for Young People?

Young people typically have a far greater digital footprint than older generations. Digital assets fall into three categories:

It is disconcerting for friends and family to be prompted to congratulate you on a work anniversary when you passed away six months ago. Without documented credentials, valuable digital assets can be permanently lost.

How Easy Is It to Write a Will?

Writing a Will is not complicated and does not require knowledge of estate planning law. Using USLegalWills.com, you are guided through the process with simple questions:

• Who do you want to take care of your estate?
• How would you want things distributed?
• Do you have particular items for specific individuals?

Once complete, download the PDF, print it, and sign in the presence of two witnesses who have nothing to gain from the contents. That is it — you have a legal Will. The entire process takes about 20 minutes.

If circumstances change later, simply log in, update your information, print the new document, and sign it again. Your Will always reflects your current situation.

We receive calls like: “My mother is now very confused and needs a Will — how can she prepare one?” The short answer: with great difficulty. She could have written her first Will 70 years ago and updated it throughout her life. Do not make the same mistake.

The Bottom Line

There is no advantage to waiting. A Will is a powerful document that allows you to name an Executor, control the distribution of your estate, manage digital assets, and establish healthcare directives. Writing a Will is not for the aged — yet 90% of Americans under 35 have not taken this critical step, even though the process takes about 20 minutes.

Start writing your Will today at USLegalWills.com.

Related Reading

• Why You Need a Will
• When to Write a Will: The Right Age
• Are There Even Fewer Americans Without Wills?
• Digital Assets and the LifeLocker
• Estate Planning for New Parents