Why single people with no children need a will

Intestacy might not match your wishes

If you die without a will, Australian intestacy rules kick in. For single people without children, this typically means:

Parents — If alive, they inherit everything equally
Siblings — If parents have died, siblings share the estate
Nieces and nephews — If siblings have died, their children inherit their share
Extended family — If none of the above exist, it goes to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
Government — If no relatives can be found, the state takes everything

Is that what you want? Maybe. But maybe not.

Who actually matters to you?

Think about the people who’d actually miss you:

Close friends — Who’ve been there through everything
A partner — Even if you’re not married or living together
Nieces and nephews — Who you’re close to, not just related to
Charitable causes — That reflect your values
Specific family members — Not equally to all siblings, but to the one who needs it

Without a will, none of these nuances are possible. The law doesn’t know who you actually care about.

💡 Think about it: If your brother is wealthy and your sister is struggling, intestacy gives them equal shares. Only a will lets you choose differently.

You probably have more than you think

Single people often underestimate their estates:

Superannuation — Your largest asset, possibly
Property — Even a small apartment or investment
Savings and investments — Bank accounts, shares, managed funds
Vehicles — Cars, motorbikes, boats
Valuables — Art, jewellery, collectibles, electronics
Digital assets — Crypto, online accounts, digital businesses

Without a will, all of this is distributed by formula, not choice.

Super doesn’t go through your will automatically

Here’s something important: your super has its own beneficiary nomination, separate from your will.

🇦🇺 In Australia: If you're single with no dependants, you may have limited options for who can receive your super as a tax-free benefit. Non-dependants (like friends or siblings) may receive a lump sum but face significant tax. Nominating your estate gives you more control.

Check your super fund’s rules and make sure your nomination reflects your wishes.

You can include friends

Unlike intestacy, a will lets you leave gifts to anyone — including friends.

The friend who’d look after your cat
The mate who helped you through a tough time
The person you want to have your guitar, car, or book collection

These people get nothing under intestacy. A will changes that.

Charities can benefit too

Many single people without children choose to leave some or all of their estate to causes they care about:

Medical research
Animal welfare
Environmental causes
Educational institutions
Local community organisations

This is only possible with a will.

Who handles everything?

Even if you’re happy with where your estate goes, someone needs to manage the process. A will lets you choose your executor — someone you trust to:

Locate your assets
Pay your debts and taxes
Deal with your landlord or property
Distribute your belongings
Close your accounts

Without a will, the court appoints an administrator, usually your next of kin. They may not know your wishes, your accounts, or your digital passwords.

What about medical decisions?

While you’re alive but unable to make decisions, who speaks for you? A will doesn’t cover this — you need:

Enduring Power of Attorney — For financial decisions
Medical Power of Attorney / Advance Care Directive — For health decisions

These are especially important when you don’t have a spouse to automatically step in.

What to do now

List who you’d actually want to inherit — friends, family, charities
Check your super binding nomination
Think about who you’d trust as executor
Consider Powers of Attorney for your lifetime
Use our Preparation Checklist to organise everything
Make a will that reflects your actual life, not just your family tree