A growing number of Americans are concerned about what will happen to them and their estates if they become ill and can’t make their own decisions or when they die. U.S. Census Bureau data reveal that almost 20% of adults aged 55 to 64 were childless in 2021, and 15.9% of those had no children. The recent article, “Retired and childless: how to plan finances, estate and long-term care with no heirs,” from yahoo! finance says it’s possible to put plans in place to address these worries. This makes aging without children or a spouse far less stressful.

Discuss wishes with trusted friends or family members to identify individuals who can safeguard important documents, including estate and financial planning. The first step is to have a will, or, if there is one, be sure it is up to date. For some people, a family member is the right choice, for others, a close friend. If there is no such person in their life, they should consult with an estate planning attorney about possible alternatives.

For older adults without children who have significant wealth, choosing a professional executor may be a worthwhile option. Having an impartial party with experience to handle a large estate will ensure it is properly administered. The executor will need to know where important documents are stored and how to access them.

For some individuals, a trust company is a solution to manage assets. A trust company, for those who have the financial means to qualify, may also be helpful to a surviving spouse if the deceased spouse handled all financial decisions.

Health care planning is another key piece of preparing for aging, especially when there are no children. A living will, also known as an advance directive, expresses a person's wishes if they are unable to communicate. Everyone should have a medical or Health Care Power of Attorney. The POA is authorized to make healthcare decisions if the person is unable to.

All these documents, including a will, trusts, Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney, vary from state to state, so it’s important to have documents prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney in your jurisdiction. People who own homes in different states should consult an estate planning attorney to determine which documents they need in each location. A valid document in one state may not be accepted in another state.

Most adults over age 65 will, at some point, need some form of paid long-term services and support. For older adults aging alone, plans need to be in place. Those who don’t already have long-term care insurance should consider purchasing it. Part of estate planning may include planning for Medicaid eligibility.

Solo agers without children should consult with an estate planning attorney to create a clear plan for finances, health care and housing to reduce stress about what will happen later in life. Single people deserve to have the same peace of mind as anyone else.

Reference: yahoo! finance (Jan. 24, 2026) “Retired and childless: how to plan finances, estate and long-term care with no heirs”