If you don't write a will, whatever wealth you leave behind will probably go to your parents. Think about it. Not Married If you've got a life partner but no marriage certificate, a will is almost a must-have document. Without a will, state law will dictate where your property goes after your death, and no state gives anything to an unmarried partner. Instead, your closest relatives will inherit everything.
Estate planning is no exception.
Here's what to think about. First, write a will. The guardian will take over if both you and the other parent are unavailable. That's an unlikely situation, but one that's worth addressing just in case. The other big reason to write a will is that if you don't, some of your property may go not to your spouse, but directly to your children.