Love Without a License? Why Estate Planning Is Non-Negotiable for Unmarried Couples

Being in a long-term relationship without a marriage certificate? Totally normal and becomming more the norm these days than not. But when it comes to legal rights and financial protection, the law still hasn’t caught up. If you’re not married, you don’t get the same automatic rights—and that’s where estate planning comes in.

Let’s break it down.

You could get legally ghosted from your own life

Without a will or estate plan, your assets are distributed based on the state’s rules (intestate succession)—not your relationship status. That usually means your belongings go to your blood relatives. Your partner? They may be left out completely, even if you’ve built a life (and maybe a mortgage) together.

Solution: A simple estate plan that spells out who gets what. No assumptions, no courtroom drama with family members.

You’re not on the hospital’s VIP list

If you’re incapacitated and can’t make medical decisions, your partner might not be allowed to step in. Hospitals typically default to “next of kin,” and in most states, that doesn’t include your live-in love.

Solution: Healthcare Power of Attorney. Living Will. These documents give your partner legal decision-making power when it really matters.

Kids in the picture? The court has opinions

If you and your partner have children and don’t have a plan in place, the court decides who gets custody. That might mean overlooking your partner entirely when choosing a guardian.

Solution: Name a guardian in your estate plan. This ensures your kids are raised by the person you trust most—not a relative you haven’t spoken to since 2008.

Probate is a party no one wants an invite to

Without a clear estate plan, everything has to go through probate: a slow, expensive legal process that puts your private matters on public display through the court.

Solution: Avoid it altogether with a revocable living trust, joint ownership, and designated beneficiaries. That means your partner receives your assets directly, without court involvement.

Bottom line

Being unmarried doesn’t mean unprotected—unless you don’t plan ahead. With an estate plan, you get to call the shots, make sure your partner is legally covered, and avoid leaving them tangled in legal red tape during a tough time.

Not sure where to start? We make it simple, affordable, and lawyer-free. 

Ready to protect what you’ve built together? Start your estate plan today. Looking for something budget-friendly? Check out our YEP packages!