As the Year Comes to a Close, Does Your Will Still Reflect Your Life Today?

As the year comes to a close, many people take time to reflect on what the past twelve months have brought. Life rarely changes in one dramatic moment. More often, it shifts quietly through new relationships, growing families, changing finances, or altered priorities. One important document that often fails to keep pace with these changes is a Will.

A Will should reflect your life as it is today, not how it looked years ago. An end-of-year review is a practical opportunity to ensure your wishes remain clear, current, and legally effective before stepping into a new year.

Why the End of the Year Is the Right Time to Review Your Will

The end of the year naturally prompts planning and review. Finances are reassessed, future goals are considered, and important administrative tasks are often addressed. Reviewing your Will at this point fits naturally into that process.

Leaving a Will unchecked can lead to problems that only become apparent when it is too late to correct them. Many families discover outdated instructions during an already emotional time, leading to confusion, delay, or unintended outcomes. A proactive review now can prevent unnecessary stress later.

Life Changes That Can Make a Will Out of Date

Even changes that seem minor can have significant legal consequences. Your Will may need reviewing if, during the past year, you have experienced any of the following:

• Marriage, separation, or divorce

• Entering a new relationship or remarrying

• The birth of a child or grandchild

• Buying or selling property

• Changes in financial circumstances

• The death, ill health, or change in availability of an Executor or Beneficiary

If your Will does not reflect these changes, it may no longer carry out your intentions as you expect.

What You Should Do Before the Year Ends

A few practical steps you can take to ensure your Will still reflects your wishes.

1. Read Your Will CarefullyTake time to review your Will from start to finish. Check who is named as Executor, who benefits from your Estate, and whether the instructions still feel appropriate. If anything gives you pause, it is worth investigating further.

2. Reflect on Changes Over the Past YearAsk yourself whether anything significant has changed in your life. This includes relationships, assets, or responsibilities. If your circumstances have shifted, your Will may need updating to remain effective.

3. Review Executors and GuardiansExecutors and Guardians should be people you trust and who are realistically able to take on the role. Circumstances change over time, and someone suitable in the past may no longer be the right choice today.

4. Avoid Informal AmendmentsHandwritten notes, verbal instructions, or assumptions that “everyone knows what I want” do not carry legal weight. Informal changes can cause confusion and may invalidate parts of a Will. Any updates should be completed correctly to ensure they are legally valid.

5. Seek Professional GuidanceYou do not need to know exactly what needs changing before seeking advice. A professional review can identify potential issues and confirm whether a simple amendment or a full update is required.

At LCS Legal, we support clients through Will reviews and updates with a clear and practical approach, ensuring their wishes are properly documented and protected.

How LCS Legal Can Help Prevent These Issues

At LCS Legal, we support individuals and families across key areas of Wills, Estate matters and related planning:

• Wills: Reviewing, updating and preparing Wills so they reflect current circumstances and intentions.

• Lasting Powers of Attorney: Assisting with Health and Welfare and Property and Financial Affairs LPAs to ensure they are set up correctly and in time.

• Trust Reviews: Checking Trust structures, Trustees and Beneficiaries to confirm everything still aligns with your goals.

• Probate assistance: Guiding Executors and families through the Probate process and helping reduce delays and complications.

Moving Into the New Year with Confidence

A Will only works if it reflects your current circumstances. Taking the time to review it before the year ends helps avoid uncertainty, delays and unintended outcomes later on.

If your life has changed over the past year through relationships, family, property or finances, a review now can ensure your wishes remain clear and properly recorded.

LCS Legal is here to help you review and update your Will with clarity, care, and confidence.👉 Schedule your appointment today and ensure your wishes are properly in place