Estate Planning for Millennials - City Girl Savings (2024)

No kids, no house, no major assets? That doesn’t mean you don’t need to start planning for the worst-case scenarios. No one likes to think about something happening to them, but preparing ahead of time can make your life and the lives of those effected so much easier. If you are a millennial but already have kids or significant assets, estate planning should not be avoided. You don’t need a lavish estate to start planning, you simply need a few things. The CGS Team is sharing some information on what millennials can start doing to plan for their estate. Remember that any will or document you set in motion can always be changed.

In the Event of Incapacity

When you’re young, the most likely event is that of incapacity, not death. This could be an injury on the job or an injury from an accident that leaves you incapable of taking care of yourself and your expenses. In this case, the following documents are recommended:

• Power of Attorney for Health Care – This allows the designated person to make health care decisions for you when you cannot. This includes life or death decisions.
• “Durable” Financial Power of Attorney – A regular Power of Attorney ends at incapacity, but a “durable” power of attorney stays place after. It gives a designated person legal authority to manage your finances without court interference.
• HIPPA Authorizations – Gives authorizations to certain people of your choosing for doctors to discuss your medical conditions with those people.

In the Event of Death

While no one is guaranteed another day of life, the likelihood is low for millennials. This doesn’t mean that thought shouldn’t be given. Since most millennials are just starting out on their net worth journey and don’t have much, a simple will can do the trick. The will determines who your assets/belongings should go to. It also determines who can take over your financial decisions. If a will is not created and you pass away, the legal system will decide where your belongings go. This may not be what you want.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Although it may be a financial inconvenience for you now, there are financial precautions you can take to ensure that your debts and financial setbacks aren’t transferred to your children or those closest to you. Disability insurance is a great option, since disability is more likely at a young age than death. Disability insurance consistently provides you with a certain percentage of your income in the event of incapacity or disability.

This is extremely important if you are the primary source of income for your family. Life insurance is another great option. If you know that your family cannot afford funeral expenses (which can run up to $10,000), a small life insurance policy can help ease that financial burden. Be sure to check your employer benefits, as some companies offer complimentary life insurance.

Related: CGS Podcast Episode #47: Estate Planning with Attorney Crista Hermance

No one likes to think of death or hardship, but it is inevitable. Planning for such events should be done at any age, regardless of how much stuff you actually have. Have you set out a will or trust? What was your experience? Do you have life or disability insurance? Share your thoughts on the importance of such items for young people, we want to hear! Leave a comment below to reply.

-The CGS Team