Many people assume that estate planning is for married couples, because couples have spouses who rely on each other, or because couples need to make contingency plans for the care of minor children. Basic steps that couples should take include titling accounts properly, having the right life insurance in place, naming guardians for children, and making arrangements for financial and health care decisions.

Singles, on the other hand, may not have a need to provide protection for another person. Instead, they need to focus on their own protection and lay the groundwork for allowing someone else to make financial and medical decisions on their behalf if they are not able to do so. In addition, they may need to spend a bit of extra time thinking about where assets would pass at death, because there may not be a clear set of beneficiaries (like a spouse or children).

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