Begin 2026 with peace of mind

With the new year just around the corner, many turn their attention to healthy lifestyle resolutions and new fitness goals. But it’s also the perfect time to review and update your legal affairs. Sharon Richardson from Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors in North Yorkshire is encouraging local people to kick off 2026 with a legal health check.

A legal health check can provide peace of mind for you and your family, ensuring your plans align with your current circumstances and any recent life changes. Sharon Richardson, a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, explains that being proactive not only helps your family understand your wishes, but also safeguards both you and your loved ones.

“Life changes all the time, and your legal documentation, such as your Will, should keep pace” says Sharon. “The start of the new year is the perfect time to review key legal documents to ensure they accurately reflect your current wishes.”

Research from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers shows over half of UK adults over 30 don’t have a Will or have one that needs updating. The research also found that nearly one in ten UK adults has started making a Will but hasn’t completed it, leaving their estate and loved ones at risk.

“It’s best practice to review and update your Will every five years or when a major change in your life occurs that impacts you or your loved ones, such as a marriage or civil partnership, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, the arrival of a child, the loss of a loved one, or changes related to gender recognition.” Sharon says.

She continues: “An up-to-date Will not only ensures your wishes are honoured but also sets out clear guardianship arrangements for your children. Alarmingly, many parents don’t have a Will or haven’t legally appointed guardians for their children. Without a Will, guardianship decisions may be left to the courts, which might not align with your preferences.”

“Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is another a crucial step that every adult should do before it’s too late. An LPA ensures that someone you trust can manage your financial and healthcare decisions if you become unable to do so, because we never know what is round the corner. You can establish a Property and Financial Affairs LPA for handling your finances and a Health and Welfare LPA for decisions regarding your care and living arrangements. Together with making your Will, these 3 important documents are what we call our Life & Legacy Plan and we want all our clients to have these in place.”

“Finally, it is wise to prepare for the unexpected. Create a secure emergency document with essential contacts and key details for accessing important accounts, such as online banking. Additionally, documenting your funeral wishes can reduce the emotional burden on your loved ones during a difficult time.”

Where possible, Sharon says it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced legal professional, such as a Lifetime Lawyer, to ensure that all documents are thorough, valid, and reflect your intentions accurately.

If you would like the peace of mind o having these 3 important documents in place, contact a legal adviser in the Private Client team at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors for help and advice for your personal circumstances.

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers is a membership body for legal professionals – our members are the most qualified lawyers in the country when it comes to supporting older people and those in vulnerable circumstances who may need extra help and support.

Lifetime Lawyers receive expert training and best practice guidance to offer the very best advice.

If you are unable to afford the cost of a solicitor, The Association of Lifetime Lawyers recommends seeking advice from Citizens Advice (the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux) – especially for complex wills. 

Survey data (commissioned by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers). In January 2025, Censuswide polled 2,002 UK adults age 30+ for The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.