When you’re young, estate planning is often the furthest thing from your mind. But if you’ve started on a new life with a spouse or a partner—and especially if you have kids—it’s never too early to start thinking about your future. Estate planning for young couples, new parents, or newlyweds often feels premature, but the truth is that the earlier you start, the more protections you gain. While estate planning for young couples can come with some unique wrinkles, working with an experienced professional can help you create a foolproof plan.
Legal Documents for Parents
Wills and Trusts
If you’ve recently started a family, now is the time to start looking ahead to your children’s future. Many young people put off writing a will or setting up a trust because they feel that they don’t own enough assets. However, most young adults own far more than they realize. Assets such as fine jewelry, family heirlooms, digital assets (like online accounts, crypto, photos, and social media profiles), savings or checking accounts, retirement funds, personal valuables, and even future inheritances are all part of your estate.
Without an estate plan, these assets can fall into legal limbo, creating confusion, delays, and financial hardship for your children. Even more concerning, if you don’t have a will or trust naming who should receive what, the state will decide for you, and its decision may not align with your wishes. This lack of clarity can leave your children financially unprotected and vulnerable during an already difficult time.
For younger parents, writing a will is the easiest way to make sure your children are taken care of, but a trust may also be a good option. Setting up a trust allows you to set certain conditions to protect your children while also considering their future, and are an especially smart option if you have children with special needs.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney allows you to authorize someone to act on your behalf should you become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make your own decisions. Common types of POAs include financial and healthcare directives, which allow a trusted individual to carry out your wishes regarding your financial decisions and medical care.
Another document that you may want to fill out is a living will. A living will provides more detailed instructions about your end-of-life care than a simple power of attorney. Completing these documents will make things much easier for your family should tragedy strike.
Choosing someone to make decisions on your behalf is an important part of estate planning for young adults. When selecting someone to serve as your power of attorney, consider their level of responsibility, trustworthiness, emotional stability, ability to handle pressure, and whether they’re willing to honor your wishes even if they disagree with them. It’s also wise to choose someone who lives nearby or is easily reachable in emergencies.
Guardianship for Children
When it comes to estate planning for young parents, one of the most important decisions is who will look after your kids if something should happen to you. Leaving your kids’ future in the hands of a trusted individual is essential to your peace of mind. The law allows you to name a guardian who will look after your kids as part of your will. If you do not specify a guardian, you leave the decision up to the court and you will have no input into who they pick. Some important considerations when it comes to selecting a guardian include the person’s financial situation, their level of responsibility, and how close they live to you.
Reviewing and Maintaining Your Estate Plan
Life changes quickly, especially for young couples building a future together. Major milestones such as the birth of another child, buying a home, opening a new financial account, receiving an inheritance, or even changing careers can significantly affect your estate plan. Regularly reviewing and updating your documents ensures it always reflect your current circumstances and continue to protect your family exactly as you intend
FAQs
- Do young couples really need an estate plan if they don’t own many assets?
Yes. Even limited assets, such as personal valuables, digital property, or a small savings account, require legal guidance to ensure they are passed on correctly. Estate planning also covers guardianship, medical decisions, and long-term protection for your family. - What are the essential documents for young couples starting a family?
Wills, trusts (when appropriate), powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship designations are the core documents that protect your family. - How often should young parents update their estate plan?
Review your plan every 2–3 years or after major life events, such as a new child, home purchase, marriage, divorce, or significant financial change. - What happens if we don’t name a guardian for our children?
The court will choose someone without your input. This can create conflict within the family and leave your children without any of your guidance on who you prefer to raise them.
Contact Miller Estate and Elder Law
If you have any questions about estate planning for young parents or any aspect of the estate planning process, do not hesitate to contact the experienced attorneys at Miller Estate and Elder Law. Give us a call today at (256) 251-2137 or fill out the form below and start protecting your family’s future.