If you are a baby boomer without children, you are in good company — roughly 20% of boomers fall into this category. And while the term "solo ager" might be new, the estate planning needs are as real and urgent as they are for anyone else. In fact, in some ways, planning ahead matters even more when you do not have children who might naturally step in to help.
What is a solo ager, and why do they need estate planning?
"Solo ager" refers to people — often baby boomers or older adults — who are aging without children. But they share a common reality: without descendants who might naturally assume caretaking roles or inherit their estate, they need to be more deliberate about who will step in if something happens.
Estate planning for solo agers is not just about distributing assets after death. It is about making sure that if you become seriously ill, injured, or cognitively impaired, someone who knows you and cares about you has the legal authority to act on your behalf — rather than a court-appointed stranger.
What documents does a solo ager need in Florida?
- Durable Power of Attorney — designates someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. In Florida, without this document, even a close family member may have to go to court to gain authority to act on your behalf.
- Designation of Healthcare Surrogate — names someone to make medical decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself.
- Living Will (Advance Directive) — documents your end-of-life care preferences so your wishes are known and legally protected.
- Last Will and Testament — directs how your assets are distributed and names an executor to manage the process.
- Revocable Living Trust — can help manage and distribute your assets, and provides continuity of management if you become incapacitated before death.
Who should a solo ager name as their agent or beneficiary?
- Other family members — siblings, nieces and nephews, or cousins who you trust and who are willing to take on the responsibility.
- Close friends — particularly those who are younger than you. Naming a friend who is your own age carries a real risk: they may predecease you or become unable to serve when you need them most.
- A professional fiduciary — in some cases, particularly where family and friend options are limited, a licensed professional can serve as your agent or trustee.
- Charitable organizations — if there is a cause or institution you care deeply about, a charitable bequest can be a powerful legacy.
We recommend naming at least one backup agent for every role — because life is unpredictable, and you want your plan to work even if your first choice cannot serve.
What happens to a solo ager who becomes incapacitated without documents?
If you become incapacitated and you have no power of attorney or healthcare surrogate on file, your family or friends have no legal authority to act for you. They cannot access your bank accounts, pay your bills, manage your investments, or direct your medical care.
To gain that authority, they would need to petition a Florida court for a formal guardianship — a process that is public, expensive, emotionally taxing, and can take months while your affairs go unmanaged. A simple durable power of attorney and healthcare surrogate designation prevent this entirely.
Is it ever too early — or too late — for a solo ager to start planning?
No and no. The best time to put a plan in place is when you are healthy and clear-headed enough to make thoughtful decisions. Waiting until a health crisis forces the issue almost always results in a more rushed, more limited, and more stressful process.
At Lauren Richardson Law, we work with solo agers throughout Gainesville and the surrounding area who want to protect their independence, honor their relationships, and leave the legacy they choose. No matter your age or asset level, your estate plan should reflect the life you have built — and we are here to help you build it.