Gene Balk, also known as the Seattle Times’s “FYI Guy,” recently wrote an article entitled “Half the men in Seattle are never-married singles, census data shows”. Mr. Balk explained the significance:
As marriage becomes less popular among younger generations, Seattle men have hit a milestone of singledom: For the first time, half of the men living in the city have never been married. The latest census data, which is for 2023, shows a record 173,700 Seattle men aged 15 and older had never been hitched. That represents 50.4% of the 344,700 Seattle men in that age group. This marks the first time Seattle’s never-married men have crossed the 50% threshold. . . Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, Seattle is one of 14 in which never-married men are 50% or higher of the male population.
We’ve previously written about the nuances of estate planning for single people, including single parents. In addition, unmarried Seattle men may not necessarily be living alone. Some unmarried men may be living with a domestic partner. That impacts estate planning decisions, particularly if the relationship rises to the level of a committed intimate relationship. Also, a much-loved pet may need to be considered in an unmarried man’s estate plan.
For years, estate planners designed estate plans in which spouses distribute their community and separate property assets to the surviving spouse upon death and then to the children in equal shares if neither spouse is living. Now, as Mr. Balk points out, society is becoming more complex. Unmarried men need to work with an attorney to develop an estate plan, taking their particular circumstances and desires into consideration.
Do you need help creating an estate plan that fits your life circumstances? Please let us know. We’d be happy to assist you.
Phone: (206) 784-5305
