Complete Guide to Estate Planning

Think estate planning only kicks in once you've got a wedding ring and kids? Here's the reality check: single adults actually face bigger risks when they skip this step. Your closest friend from college—the one who knows your Netflix password and has a key to your apartment? Legally, they're invisible when it comes to your estate. That charity you donate to every year? They won't see a dime unless you specifically arrange it.

Here's what actually happens: if you pass away without proper documents, your state decides everything. Relatives you barely remember from childhood reunions might end up with your house, your savings, and even your dog. The process drags on for months while lawyers rack up fees and family members argue about who gets what. And every single detail becomes public record that anyone can look up online.

The good news? Fixing this takes less time than planning a vacation.

Why Single Adults Need Estate Planning

Most people think estate planning belongs on the "someday after I settle down" list. That's backward thinking that leaves single adults uniquely exposed.

State intestacy rules kick in whenever someone dies without a will. These rules operate like an assembly line—zero flexibility, zero personalization. First in line: your spouse and kids. Don't have those? Next up: your parents get everything. Both parents gone? Your siblings split it all.

Let's look at California's approach. Say you're single, both parents are living, and you die without a will. They split ...