With the start of the new year, many focus on healthier goals and resolutions. It is also a valuable moment to pause and review your legal affairs.

Taking time now to check whether your legal documents still reflect your wishes can bring reassurance for the year ahead.

Sian Lias, Partner, and accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, encourages individuals and families to begin 2026 with a simple legal health check.

Three steps to peace of mind this new year

A legal health check does not need to be complicated. In most cases, it begins with three essential aspects that help protect you and your family.

1. Write or review your Will

Sometimes people assume their Will is complete once it is written. In reality, life doesn’t stand still.

Research from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers found that more than half of UK adults over 30 either do not have a Will or have one that needs updating. Almost one in ten have started the process but never finished it.

As a general guide, a Will should be reviewed every five years, or sooner following a significant change. A significant change would be, marriage, separation, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or changes to your financial circumstances.

An up-to-date Will ensures your wishes are followed. It also allows you to appoint legal guardians for children and make clear decisions that would be left to the courts.

As Sian explains:

“Life changes constantly. Your legal documents, including your Will, should reflect those changes. The start of a new year is an ideal time to review them and make sure they still do what you want them to do.”

2. Put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place

A legal health check goes beyond estate planning.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to choose who can make decisions for you if you become unable to do so. They can only be created while you have capacity, which makes early planning essential.

The two types of LPA:

• Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers matters such as banking and bills.
• Health and Welfare LPA relates to medical treatment and care decisions.

Together, they help ensure your voice is heard, even if you cannot speak for yourself.

3. Prepare for the unexpected

Keeping key information in one secure place can make a real difference at a difficult time. This should include notes about your preferences, account details, and important contacts. Another way to lessen the emotional pressure on loved ones is to record your funeral wishes.

Confidence comes from clear advice

Reviewing legal documents can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

Speaking with an experienced legal professional helps ensure everything is valid, thorough, and aligned with your intentions. Clear advice brings reassurance and allows you to move forward with confidence.

Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team would be pleased to support you, whether you are reviewing existing documents or planning for the first time.

Start 2026 feeling prepared

If you are unsure when your Will was last reviewed or would like guidance on wider estate planning, please get in touch.

Working together, we can help you begin the new year with clarity and peace of mind.

📞 01256 460830
✉️ [email protected]

We are proud to have four Accredited Lifetime Lawyers on our team: Sian Lias, Lisa Perry, Nicola Browett, and Claire-Marie Selwood. Lifetime Lawyers are specialists in later-life planning, they understand the importance of getting these decisions right.