Many single Chinese women make wills.

Following the sudden death of her mother, Hua Mei, a single woman in Beijing, decided to make a will at the age of 40.

The main reason for doing this is that she doesn't want to be dependent on others in her old age.

"I need someone I can trust to be by my side and willing to be my guardian in the future," Hoa My said. Her niece was the choice she carefully considered because of their close relationship and familial bond.

Recently, Hoa My contracted influenza A and had to stay home to recover. For days she couldn't eat, but she also didn't receive any phone calls to check on her. Hoa My wondered if she would end up like those lonely elderly people whose deaths were only discovered a week later. Thinking about this, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

Making a will gave this woman greater peace of mind. According to her, the assets included in the will are an acknowledgment of her value while she is alive. Furthermore, she can decide who receives what and who doesn't, and she won't have any regrets after her death.

It's not just middle-aged women like Hoa My; increasingly, young, unmarried women are also starting to make wills.

Xiao Ba in Shanghai is one such case. Nearly two years ago, the stress of studying caused the 21-year-old girl's heart to constantly race. Worried about the possibility of sudden death, Xiao Ba considered making a will.

As someone born after 2000, this girl values things in the virtual world like personal accounts on Baidu Netdisk, WeChat, and Bilibili, so she made a list to leave to her mother. Additionally, she has a patent that is being used in her university, so she bequeathed that to her father as well.

As for personal belongings, mostly obtained from scholarships and part-time jobs, Xiao Ba left them to her best friend. Because she disliked traditional ceremonies, she wished to have her ashes scattered along the railway line connecting her parents' hometowns, so that each time she returned home, her family could feel her presence.

"If I ever die before my parents, I hope this will bring them peace of mind before their passing," Xiao Ba said.

Young people register their wills at a will registration center in Beijing, China. Photo: China Daily — Young people register their wills at a will registration center in Beijing, China. Photo: *China Daily*

According to a report released at the end of March by the China Wills Registry Center, an increasing number of single people, especially women, are turning to wills services to better manage their assets and avoid inheriting from people they dislike.

Nearly 2,100 single people registered their wills at the center between 2017 and 2023, with the number increasing significantly each year. Notably, 70% of them were women.

In the 2023 annual report, nearly half of those registering wills had a college degree, and more than half held managerial positions at work or were highly skilled professionals. The main reasons for unmarried individuals making wills were to care for their parents (nearly 45%) and to avoid unclear inheritance of assets (nearly 30%).

According to Phan Trung Quyền, an employee at the China Will Registration Center, more and more single women are coming to the center to plan for their future or death. Previously, making a will was often understood as a private right of the elderly and considered the end of life, but now, for many, it is a new beginning.

"The reason why the rate of single women making wills is increasing is because their social status has improved and they are becoming more independent," he said.

According to Mr. Phan, the increasing trend of women registering wills shows that this group is becoming more aware of protecting their personal assets and planning ahead. Furthermore, making a will while single is easier because it doesn't require as many family ties. Single women who advocate for making a will early are also conscious of minimizing disputes should unforeseen circumstances arise, as they don't know which will come first: the future or an accident.

Mr. Tran Khai, project director of the China Will Registration Center, said that highly educated women and those holding executive positions in businesses may possess more assets and have a clearer understanding of the law and risks.

"In this age of technological boom, people easily access a lot of negative information, making them feel like everything is happening right next to them. Over time, this can lead to the thought that they will encounter similar incidents and become anxious, even fearful of death," said Mr. Tran Khai. Therefore, making a will is received with a more relaxed mindset, as it is a way for single women to alleviate mental pressure.

Therefore, according to Mr. Tran, making a will early, especially for single women, is something they should do.

"It's like the reminder on the electronic screen at the entrance to the Will Registration Center: Don't cry when making a will because it's a joyful experience," he said.

Trang Vy (According to The Paper, China Daily )

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