I’ve been trying to tell people that there are more single women than ever before. Finally, this statistic is popping up all over: 45% of women 25-44 are projected to be single by 2030. Read that again. This reflects how our world has shifted socioeconomically, and legally. 

So what does the Sheconomy mean for us ladies legally?

1. Think About Child Bearing and Raising in New Ways. Make sure you’re thinking through how you choose to get pregnant or adopt. I’m not saying don’t get pregnant, there are lots of good solo single moms out there! Talk to someone about the legal pluses and minuses of different scenarios. For instance, if it’s through a sperm donation, talk to an attorney about the difference between someone anonymous and someone you know. Have surrogacy and adoption contracts reviewed. And just know the people most likely to be in court every two years, are the people who had a brief relationship, a party got pregnant, and they had a kid together. If you couldn’t be on the same page for a relationship, you are not going to be on the same page with child rearing. 

2. Choose Who is Making Your Decisions Earlier. Get a power of attorney and a medical directive, they are even more important without a spouse. If you choose a parent, I implore you to have a secondary that is contemporary or younger than you so that this document can last a while. Because even though I tell you to review it, you will not.

3. Legally Document Your Relationships. I say this over and over, and I will keep banging it over your pretty heads and fashionable wardrobe choices – document your relationships. I don’t care what type of relationship you want. You want a domestic partnership? Cool, document how you own that real estate, how to split assets and debts. You want to live with your bestie? Wonderful, document how you own your real estate, how to divide assets and debts. You want to get married? Fantastic, get yourself a prenup. Because ladies, this is more and more becoming your world and you need to think about how you structure it.

4. Read and Negotiate Your Contracts. You are going to be more self-reliant on yourself to read and negotiate leases, employment contracts and all sorts of other legal documents. Read them. Now read them again. And if you don’t understand it in and out, come bring it to me. Negotiate it. Advocate for your worth.

5. Protect Your Businesses. A lot of women now own their own businesses. Make sure to have the correct legal documents in place to protect you from liability, employment issues, partner disagreements, and other basics. 

Ladies, I get it, I date. The choices out there in the D.C. dating world…they’re something. I support you, so let me really support you, and guide you through how to legally structure your singledom so you can be unabashedly who you want to be!

SEE ALSO: Why You Need a Medical Directive Now