For childless couples, estate planning is an opportunity to define a clear financial legacy, secure quality care in later life, and ensure trusted decision-makers are in place if incapacity occurs. Without default heirs, planning becomes even more critical to protect assets, preserve autonomy, and support causes that matter most.
As life expectancy increases, long-term care (LTC) planning is essential. Without children to rely on, couples often prioritize independence and high-quality care. One proactive strategy is exploring Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). These communities offer a tiered system—independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care—allowing aging in place with increasing support as needed.
Entry into a CCRC often requires significant upfront fees and financial vetting. Couples should evaluate these costs early, incorporate them into retirement projections, and consider long-term care insurance or hybrid life/LTC policies to offset future care expenses.
Without heirs to support, retirement planning focuses on sustaining lifestyle, healthcare access, and values-based legacy planning. Couples should ensure traditional retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs) are tax-efficient and properly coordinated with their estate plan. Roth conversions, particularly before required minimum distributions begin, may offer lifetime tax savings and simplify estate administration.
Designating a trust or charity as a retirement account beneficiary can further legacy goals. Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow for income streams and philanthropic impact while minimizing taxes.
Childless couples have broad flexibility to define their legacy. This may include:
A well-drafted will or revocable living trust is essential to ensure the chosen beneficiaries receive assets as intended. Trusts offer added control, privacy, and continuity, especially for couples with complex family dynamics or charitable objectives.
Without an estate plan, assets typically pass to the closest living relatives under state intestacy laws—often not aligned with the couple’s wishes.
Don’t forget your pets and naming a pet caregiver with a pet trust in your Will.
Without children to advocate on their behalf, selecting trustworthy agents is vital. Every couple should prepare:
Some couples choose each other as primary agents but designate a professional fiduciary, trusted friend, or extended family member as a successor. In certain cases, appointing an institutional trustee or care advocate may provide added peace of mind.
For many childless couples, philanthropy becomes a central part of estate planning. Strategies include:
Charitable planning can reduce estate taxes and bring fulfillment by supporting missions that align with the couple’s values.
Estate planning for a childless couple is about more than asset distribution—it's about ensuring autonomy, quality of life, and a legacy that reflects their values. With thoughtful planning, couples can secure their future, protect each other, and leave a meaningful mark on the world. Working with experienced estate planning and financial advisors ensures these goals are achieved with clarity and confidence.
For Informational Purposes only and not for legal or tax advice.
Marie Feindt is the Planning Specialist – Estate Attorney at Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of estate planning experience, Marie and the Members’ Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients’ unique situations. She believes everyone, young adults and older, need the essential documents to conserve and preserve and transfer assets accumulated during lifetime to the next generation.
Marie received her JD from Widener University School of Law, her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, University Park and is currently enrolled in the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Graduate Tax Program.
Marie is an Adjunct Faculty at the Villanova University College of Professional Studies Paralegal Professional Certificate Program where she teaches Estates & Trusts and Civil Procedure & Litigation and Torts & Personal Injury Law.
Marie volunteers for a monthly legal clinic at The Salvation Army in Chester, PA facilitated by the Christian Legal Clinic of Philadelphia. She has served on the Women’s Commission of Delaware County and as a Board Member for the Delaware County Literacy Council.
Marie enjoys biking, reading, yoga and walking in her free time with her husband and three children.
To get in touch with the Members’ Wealth team today, I invite you to email info@memberswealthllc.com or call (267) 367-5453.
You can learn more about how we serve our clients by tapping the button below.
Investment advisory services are offered through Members’ Wealth, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisory Firm.
Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. We are an independent advisory firm helping individuals achieve their financial needs and goals
Members’ Wealth does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax consequences.
This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Members’ Wealth, LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Members’ Wealth, LLC or performance returns of any Members’ Wealth, LLC client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Members’ Wealth, LLC manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results
Copyright © 2023 Members' Wealth LLC