The Lawyer in London

The Lawyer in LondonThe Lawyer in LondonThe Lawyer in London

The Lawyer in London

The Lawyer in LondonThe Lawyer in LondonThe Lawyer in London
  • Home
  • Helping you
    • Overview
    • Declarations of Trust
    • Deeds of Variation
    • Estate administration
    • Estate planning
    • Family Investment Company
    • Inheritance Tax (IHT)
    • Life without children
    • Making a Will
    • Powers of attorney
    • Trusts
  • Paths to Parenthood
    • Adoption
    • Blended families
    • Egg donation
    • Fostering
    • LGBTQ+
    • Parental responsibility
    • Solo parents
    • Sperm donation
    • Supporting you
    • Surrogacy
  • About us
    • Meet the Lawyer in London
    • Why choose us?
    • Office locations
    • Disclaimer and legal info
  • Legal insights
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visit our Instagram
  • Amy Lane - gunnercooke
  • More
    • Home
    • Helping you
      • Overview
      • Declarations of Trust
      • Deeds of Variation
      • Estate administration
      • Estate planning
      • Family Investment Company
      • Inheritance Tax (IHT)
      • Life without children
      • Making a Will
      • Powers of attorney
      • Trusts
    • Paths to Parenthood
      • Adoption
      • Blended families
      • Egg donation
      • Fostering
      • LGBTQ+
      • Parental responsibility
      • Solo parents
      • Sperm donation
      • Supporting you
      • Surrogacy
    • About us
      • Meet the Lawyer in London
      • Why choose us?
      • Office locations
      • Disclaimer and legal info
    • Legal insights
    • Privacy Policy
    • Visit our Instagram
    • Amy Lane - gunnercooke
  • Home
  • Helping you
    • Overview
    • Declarations of Trust
    • Deeds of Variation
    • Estate administration
    • Estate planning
    • Family Investment Company
    • Inheritance Tax (IHT)
    • Life without children
    • Making a Will
    • Powers of attorney
    • Trusts
  • Paths to Parenthood
    • Adoption
    • Blended families
    • Egg donation
    • Fostering
    • LGBTQ+
    • Parental responsibility
    • Solo parents
    • Sperm donation
    • Supporting you
    • Surrogacy
  • About us
    • Meet the Lawyer in London
    • Why choose us?
    • Office locations
    • Disclaimer and legal info
  • Legal insights
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visit our Instagram
  • Amy Lane - gunnercooke

Solo parents

What do I need to think about?

For solo parents by choice or circumstance, estate planning is more difficult and more important than for those in a traditional heteronormative family home.   It is important to think about your Will and who would look after your children in the event of your death and manage your assets for their benefit. 

Does anyone else have automatic rights to my child?

This is unlikely, if you are a solo parent by choice through a licensed clinic, or the child's other parent has died.  That's why it's important to appoint guardians in your Will so they have the right to look after your child if you die.   We have a separate section on parental responsibility for couples.  

Can I appoint someone to look after my child in a power of attorney if I lose capacity?

No.  Your attorneys can maintain your child financially  but they do not have automatic rights to make decisions regarding their care.  All adults should have a power of attorney so someone is appointed to make decisions for you should you be unable to do so.  

Where can I go for support?

There are many support networks for solo parents such as Gingerbread, 


For solo mothers we highly recommend the Stork & I.   Amy has been interviewed by the Stork & I and her podcast on estate planning for solo parents can be listened to here.  

  • Disclaimer and legal info
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visit our Instagram
  • Amy Lane - gunnercooke

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