Last Updated on August 29, 2025
Most young parents are busy building a future, not thinking about legal paperwork. Between daycare drop-offs, saving for a first home, and figuring out how to juggle it all, estate planning rarely feels urgent. But if you have children, it’s one of the most important things you can do.
Planning ahead isn’t about fear. It’s about providing structure, stability, and clarity, especially in a world that doesn’t always go according to plan. In Georgia, if there’s no legal plan in place, the court decides who steps in to raise your children and manage your finances.
Estate planning for young families puts those decisions and control back in your hands. We’ll walk through the must-haves, the Georgia-specific steps, and how to build a plan that works for your real life.
What Estate Planning Actually Means for Young Parents
A recent survey revealed that just 32% of Americans have estate planning documents in place, even though 64% say having a will is important. Among parents of young children, many still don’t have a plan, often because they think they don’t have enough assets or they’re waiting until life feels more settled.
But legal decisions don’t wait for life to calm down. The less you prepare, the more pressure your loved ones may face if something unexpected happens.
Estate planning is often misunderstood. It’s not reserved for people with large estates or complex investments. It’s about protecting your child, documenting your wishes, ensuring the people you trust are legally empowered to act on your behalf, and assets are protected.
Key Documents That Build a Strong Estate Plan
Your estate plan may include:
- A last will and testament
- Legal guardianship designations for minor children
- Advance directive for healthcare
- Financial power of attorney
- A revocable living trust to manage assets over time
Together, these documents create a foundation of support, not just for your property but also for your family’s future.
Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy
Even small estates can create big problems if there’s no plan. It’s not about how much you own, it’s about whether you’ve legally outlined what should happen if you’re no longer here. Without clear instructions, families often face delays, court costs, additional attorney fees, and conflict. An estate plan avoids that chaos and added expense.
The Biggest Risk? Not Choosing a Guardian Yourself
One of the hardest questions for any parent is, “Who would raise my child if I couldn’t?” Yet most parents haven’t legally documented the answer.
In Georgia, if no guardian is named, the court will decide who takes over, and it may not be someone you would’ve chosen. That process can cause tension between relatives, delay custody decisions, and add emotional strain to an already devastating situation.
By naming a guardian in your will, you’re choosing someone who shares your values and parenting approach. You can also name a backup guardian in case your first choice becomes unavailable. It’s a decision you only get to make if you plan ahead.
At Chandler Law, we also offer a no-cost Kid’s Protection Plan, which provides for short-term and long-term guardians. Our Kids’ Protection Plan details emergency numbers, what babysitters should do if something happens to the parents, lists any allergies, lists your children’s medical providers, lists their medications, and outlines in detail how you want short and long-term guardians to care for your children. Our clients love them!
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Georgia?
Most people think that, if they are married, their spouse will get everything the deceased spouse owned. That’s not accurate. If you pass away without a will, Georgia’s intestacy laws determine who receives your assets and who is responsible for managing them. That includes:
- Which family members inherit your property?
- Who oversees your finances?
- Who may step into a parental role?
Minor children may be entitled to inherit, but they cannot directly access funds until they turn eighteen years of age. That means the court will assign someone to manage their money, and that person might not be the individual you would trust with that responsibility.
Why a Simple Will Isn’t Always Enough
A will is a critical starting point, but it doesn’t solve everything. For many young families, a revocable living trust adds a layer of protection and control that a will alone can’t provide.
A trust allows you to:
- Avoid the delays and expenses of probate
- Appoint a trustee to manage money for your spouse and children
- Decide when and how your children receive their inheritance
Instead of receiving everything at age eighteen, a child might receive financial support for education, housing, and emergencies, with the remainder distributed in stages into adulthood. With a revocable living trust, parents can also plan for lifestyle disabilities (i.e., alcohol, gambling, drugs, etc) which may later affect a child’s health and ability to make wise decisions.
What About Medical Emergencies or Accidents?
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone; it’s also about what happens if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself.
What Happens If You’re Incapacitated?
A sudden illness or accident could leave you temporarily or permanently unable to speak for yourself. If you don’t have legal documents in place, your loved ones may have to go through court just to make medical decisions or manage your accounts.
Two Documents Every Parent Needs
To avoid that situation, every young parent should have:
- An advance directive for healthcare, which authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
- A durable financial power of attorney, which gives someone you trust the authority to manage your bills, accounts, and obligations
These documents make sure the people closest to you can act quickly and legally when time matters most.
How to Start an Estate Plan That Actually Works for Your Family
You don’t need to figure it all out at once. Here’s how to take the first step toward a meaningful estate plan in Georgia.
3 Steps to Get Started in Georgia
- List your priorities: Who do you trust to care for your children? Who should manage your finances? What values do you want protected?
- Take inventory: Include your home, savings, insurance, retirement accounts, and even digital assets.
- Meet with an estate planning attorney: A Georgia-based estate planning lawyer at Chandler Law in Alpharetta, Georgia can help you customize a plan that fits your life and meets state legal requirements.
The lawyers at Chandler Law help young parents build thoughtful plans that reflect real life — the messy, unpredictable, beautiful parts of it. We guide you through every choice so nothing is left unclear.
3 Common Misconceptions Young Parents Have (And Why They’re Wrong)
#1 – I don’t have enough money to create an estate plan.
Estate planning isn’t about net worth; it’s about legal decisions, guardianship, and protecting what you do have.
#2 – We’re too young to think about estate planning.
The earlier you plan, the more options you have. And, the more peace of mind you give your family.
#3 – We’ll just use an online will service.
Most DIY templates don’t meet Georgia’s legal requirements, do not provide meaningful options, and mistakes often aren’t discovered until it’s too late.
FAQs About Estate Planning for Young Families in Georgia
At what age should you start estate planning in Georgia?
There’s no legal minimum age to begin estate planning in Georgia, but it’s highly recommended as soon as you have children, own property, or start building assets, even modest ones. At that point, you have people and property worth protecting. Starting early allows you to name a guardian, create a will, and ensure your wishes are legally documented before anything happens.
How often should young families update their estate plan in Georgia?
Every two to three years is a good rule of thumb, or anytime something big changes in the family. That includes having another child, getting married or divorced, buying property, starting a business, or receiving an inheritance. Regular updates keep your plan aligned with your life and compliant with Georgia law.
Clients of Chandler Law often choose to become members of our Shield & Key Membership Program so that they can stay up-to-date on the latest developments and update their plans.
Should life insurance be part of an estate plan for young parents?
Yes. Life insurance helps ensure that your family has financial stability if you pass away. It can provide funds for your child’s care, cover a mortgage, or fund a trust. Many parents use it to create long-term protection for their child without relying on savings alone.
Why Chandler Law Focuses on Young Families in Georgia
We understand what it’s like to raise a family while working, planning, and trying to keep up with everything. That’s why our firm focuses on making estate planning simple, supportive, and personal.
Whether you’re married, unmarried, working full-time, or staying at home, we’ll create a plan that reflects your unique needs, and we’ll explain it in plain language, no legal jargon.
We know Georgia’s laws and probate courts, so your plan will comply with state rules and be ready when your family needs it most.
Make the Tough Decisions Now, So No One Else Has To Later
When you put an estate plan in place, you’re not just signing papers. You’re making sure your children are protected, your wishes are honored, and your family isn’t left scrambling during a crisis. You’re providing direction when it’s needed most.
And you’re doing it out of love, not fear.
If you’re ready to protect what matters, Chandler Law is ready to help. We make estate planning for young families simple, personal, and built for real life, right here in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Schedule a consultation with our team today.
