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Q: I'm a single woman. I've been wondering if I should have a will and/or estate plan. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Jim: I'd say: it depends. Under most circumstances it's advisable for anyone to have a will, but the precise course of action you should follow will be determined by the specifics of your situation.

For instance, if you're a divorced or widowed mother of dependent children, having a will is crucial. This spells out not only how your children are provided for financially, but also who has responsibility for caring for them in your absence.

If you're single with no children, a will may still be important. For instance, if you own property of any kind, having a will ensures that it will be distributed as you wish. The more assets you accumulate over the years, the greater the need for a testamentary document of some kind.

When you don't have a will prepared, you place the burden of distributing your property on someone else -- who may or may not understand your desires and values. That's why it's wise to make your plans now. As an example, a single person without dependents can often make a significant impact through charitable giving with a wisely constructed estate plan ... but only if they have specified their wishes ahead of time.

Many people procrastinate when it comes to making provisions for the orderly transfer of their resources. Frankly, we all gravitate toward easy and routine actions rather than the difficult and important ones. We're also intimidated by the emotions that can be brought to the surface by open discussion of a subject like death. Those feelings are understandable -- but they don't change the fact that we're all responsible to steward the resources entrusted to our care in the wisest manner possible.

Q: Every night my husband comes home from work and goes straight to the television or computer. He seems obsessed with video and online games; on weekends he devotes hours on end to gaming. I'm very concerned about his behavior. Is this an addiction?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President, Marriage & Family Formation: Well, addiction can involve anything that becomes such a priority to a person that he or she is willing to neglect family, friends, faith, responsibilities and even physical health to pursue it. Electronic games certainly can produce this kind of addictive behavior -- but that's also not a label we'd want to use lightly.

So, first, I would encourage you to do an honest assessment of the situation and how you feel it is impacting you. Is it a lack of time together? Do you believe that your husband's behavior is truly neglectful or irresponsible? Is he open to talking about this, or does he become defensive? The best course, if possible, would be an honest heart-to-heart talk -- or several -- where the two of you can discuss these matters and find some win-win adjustments so you can move forward well as a unified team.

If you're unable to reach a resolution yourselves, the next step would be seeking professional assistance. A trained and objective counselor can guide you in working through these issues respectfully with a clear goal in mind. Focus on the Family's Counseling department can help you with referrals to qualified therapists in your area; call 855-771-HELP (4357) or see FocusOnTheFamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals.

In the event that a professional diagnosis determines that your husband's affinity for gaming actually has become an addiction, there might eventually be a need for a careful (and prayerfully guided) intervention involving people close to him. If that's the case, you'll need the continuing support of family, friends, church and a caring therapist. I wish you the best.

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Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.

Copyright 2026 Focus On The Family. (This feature may not by reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without written permission of Focus on the Family.)

COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.