One of the most important parts of estate planning is determining how to divide your assets. But what if you don't have a spouse, children, or other obvious heirs? Passing without a will or immediate heirs increases the odds your money will go to someone you'd rather it not.

Statistics show that 60 percent of men and 20 percent of women are either involved in a new relationship or remarried within two years of losing a spouse. When it comes to estate planning, widowers are usually most interested in protecting an inheritance for their own children and that is when the role of a trust comes into play.

Are you and your spouse in relative good health today and able to manage if the other one needed caregiving assistance? If your health took a turn, do you want to age in place, or is it possible that one of your children would want you to live closer by? Talk it through with your spouse and your kids so that everyone understand your wishes.

Losing a spouse is an incredibly difficult experience that requires making important financial and legal decisions during a time of grief. This guide to estate planning for widows and widowers helps you navigate the process of managing assets, updating your estate plan, and protecting your family’s future.

The importance of estate planning for singles has never been more significant. Estate planning is not just for married couples; estate planning is for singles too. Singles have unique estate planning issues that require specific attention.

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult things a person can go through. In addition to the difficult emotions surrounding the loss, widows and widowers may be tasked with several legal and financial responsibilities during this time of grief. After immediate needs are addressed, the surviving spouse may need to create a new plan to safeguard their assets and communicate their wishes.