There’s a quiet revolution happening in Florida’s coastal communities, from Jupiter to Boca Raton, more and more Floridians are choosing to age solo. Whether by choice, circumstance, or longevity, these “solo agers” are writing a new chapter in retirement. The question isn’t whether they’ll have freedom, it’s who will stand beside them when health declines or decisions get hard.

As the U.S. fertility rate hits historic lows, millions are facing life without a spouse, partner, or children to lean on. The good news? With thoughtful estate planning, you can design a support system as intentional as the life you’ve built.

Building Your Dream Team: The Solo Ager’s Inner Circle

Aging alone doesn’t mean going it alone. Think of your estate plan as a team sport, and you’re the captain. Your starting lineup should include:

• An Estate Planning Attorney – to draft your will, trusts, and advance directives with Florida’s unique laws in mind.

• A Financial Advisor – to manage investments, income streams, and long-term care funding.

• A CPA or Tax Professional – to keep an eye on tax efficiency as you move through life’s transitions.

Together, this team ensures that every decision—from healthcare proxies to housing—reflects your wishes, your goals, and your financial reality.

The Role of a Geriatric Care Manager

Solo agers in Florida often benefit from engaging a geriatric care manager, especially if family is out of state. These professionals act as your quarterback in the later innings of life: coordinating care, managing medical needs, and helping navigate assisted living or in-home care options.

Imagine you suffer a fall in your Jupiter condo. A geriatric care manager can ensure that the right people, your healthcare proxy, your attorney, your care providers, are notified and working together seamlessly. It’s not just about avoiding chaos. It’s about protecting your dignity and independence.

The Cornerstones of a Florida Estate Plan for Solo Agers

Your estate plan is more than a collection of documents—it’s your voice when you can’t speak. Here’s what every solo Floridian should have in place:

• Last Will and Testament – designates who inherits your assets and who carries out your wishes.

• Revocable Living Trust – avoids Florida probate (a public and often lengthy process) and keeps your affairs private.

• Durable Power of Attorney – names someone to handle financial and legal matters if you’re incapacitated.

• Health Care Surrogate Designation – appoints a trusted decision-maker for medical choices.

• Living Will – clarifies end-of-life preferences so your care aligns with your values.

Keep these documents current. Life evolves:  so should your plan. A trust you created 15 years ago in New York might not comply with Florida law today.

Choosing the Right Agents and Trustees

When you don’t have adult children, naming the right fiduciaries takes more thought. Your Power of Attorney agent and trustee should be people, or professionals, you trust implicitly. They must be willing to serve and understand what’s expected of them.

Some solo agers choose a trusted friend, niece, or nephew. Others prefer to appoint a professional fiduciary, trust company, or their Florida estate planning attorney. What matters most is reliability and accessibility. These people will be your voice when you cannot speak for yourself.

Organize Like a Pro: The “Blue Binder Rule”

At Welch Law, we provide clients with a hard-copy binder (or “Blue Binder”) and encourage them to fill it with essential information:

• Copies of healthcare directives

• A list of medications and allergies

• Contact details for your advisors, doctors, and emergency contacts

Keep it in a visible, easy-to-reach place; many solo clients tape a clear pouch to the refrigerator or keep a folder on the kitchen counter. First responders are trained to look there.

Digital backups are equally important. Cloud-based vaults and password managers (protected through tools like the Welch Crypto Trust™) can safeguard access credentials and estate files while maintaining security.

Planning Ahead = Living Better

Estate planning isn’t about fearing the future, it’s about designing it. For solo agers, it’s the ultimate act of self-care. A comprehensive plan ensures that your choices, values, and financial independence endure, even if your circumstances change.

And perhaps most importantly, it buys you freedom. Freedom from worry. Freedom to travel, to volunteer, to build friendships that feel like family.

Because peace of mind isn’t something you stumble into, it’s something you plan for.

Florida Example: The Case of “Jane from Jupiter”

Jane, 67, retired early from a successful career in healthcare. With no children and a brother living in Seattle, she decided to plan ahead. Working with Welch Law, she:

• Created a revocable trust to manage her investments and Jupiter condo.

• Appointed a licensed fiduciary as trustee and Power of Attorney.

• Engaged a geriatric care manager to coordinate care if needed.

• Stored everything in a digital and physical binder accessible through her attorney.

When Jane suffered a brief hospitalization last summer, her team activated instantly:  bills were paid, doctors were informed, and her home was cared for. No panic, no drama, no court involvement. Just order, control, and peace.

That’s what thoughtful planning delivers.

Final Word from Welch Law

Solo aging can be empowering, elegant, and secure with the right strategy. Welch Law, PLLC helps Florida residents design plans that protect their independence, preserve their wealth, and provide clarity for life’s next chapters.

If you’re aging solo in Jupiter, Martin County, or Palm Beach County, now is the time to create your plan. Your future self will thank you.

By:  Edward J. Welch, Esq. ||| Estate Planning | Wills | Trusts | Asset Protection | Welch Crypto Trust™

If you would like to discuss your legacy options with an estate planning attorney in Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, schedule a complimentary call with Edward J. Welch at Welch Law, PLLC.  At Welch Law, WE WANT TO DRAFT YOUR LEGACY!

Reference: The Orange County Register (September 21, 2025) “Aging Alone: How to build a team of care experts”