Five Essential Steps to Complete Before 2026 Arrives
- christy800
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
A practical year-end checklist to protect your estate, your wishes, and your loved ones
As the end of the year approaches, most of us focus on new goals, financial planning, and fresh starts. But there’s one area that often gets overlooked: your estate and legacy plans. Ensuring your estate affairs are in order is one of the most meaningful steps you can take to protect your loved ones and give yourself peace of mind heading into 2026.
Planning ahead now helps ensure your wishes are protected and your family is supported. A few key actions now can save your family stress, cost, and confusion in the future. Below is a simple yet essential checklist to help you start the new year feeling confident and well-prepared.
1. Review and Update Your Will
Your Will is the foundation of your estate planning, and it should reflect your current life circumstances and wishes. Review it if any of the following have changed recently:
Marriage, divorce, or separation
Births or deaths in the family
Children now being adults
Significant changes in financial position or property ownership
A change in what you want to leave and to whom
Shifts in family relationships or trusted executors
If your Will hasn’t been reviewed in the last two to three years, now is the perfect time. Without an up-to-date Will, your estate may not pass to the people you intend and your loved ones could face avoidable delays and legal complications.
If you do not yet have a Will, prioritise creating one before 2026.
2. Put Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in Place
LPAs are just as important as a Will, yet many people leave them too late. An LPA allows someone you trust to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so due to illness, accident, or age-related decline.
There are two types:
Health and Welfare LPA : decisions about medical treatment, care, and living arrangements
Property and Financial Affairs LPA : decisions about banking, bills, and assets
Putting LPAs in place early ensures your wishes are respected and prevents loved ones from facing a lengthy and costly Court of Protection process.
LPAs are a key part of future planning. Putting them in place early allows you to maintain control and clarity over your personal and financial decisions.
3. Review Your Trusts and Beneficiaries
Trusts are a valuable way to protect assets, manage inheritance tax exposure, control how funds are distributed, and safeguard vulnerable beneficiaries. If you already have Trusts in place, take time to review:
Trustees and whether they are still the best choice
Beneficiaries and whether they still reflect your wishes
Whether the terms remain appropriate for your situation
New assets that may need to be added
For those with blended families, young children, or property portfolios, Trust planning is often essential. If you don’t yet have a Trust but feel your situation has become more complex, consider professional advice before the year ends.
4. Ensure Your Probate and Estate Administration Plans Are Clear
No one enjoys thinking about what happens after they pass, but having a clear plan is one of the kindest gifts you can leave behind. Make sure your loved ones know:
Where your Will is stored
Who your executors are
Whether you have funeral wishes
How to access essential information and financial accounts
Any professional advisers involved in your planning
Taking time now to organise your affairs can significantly reduce stress for those you leave behind and ensure your estate is handled smoothly and efficiently.
5. Organise and Secure Your Key Documents
Legal protection only works if your documentation is accessible and secure. Before the year ends, gather and organise:
Will and Trust documents
LPA paperwork
Property deeds and financial statements
Insurance policies
Investment and pension details
Personal identity documents
Store them safely and ensure at least one trusted person knows how to locate them. Digital copies (where appropriate) and a secure storage solution can also be helpful.
How LCS Legal Can Support You
As specialist estate planners and Will writers, LCS Legal provides clear, tailored guidance to help you protect your assets and future wishes with confidence.
Personal guidance: We listen, explain clearly, and ensure your documents reflect your intentions.
Wills & Trusts: We create tailored Wills and Trusts to protect your beneficiaries and help avoid future issues.
Lasting Powers of Attorney: We support you in setting up and completing LPAs correctly, so your wishes and affairs are protected.
Probate support: We guide executors and support families through the process, helping reduce stress and confusion.
Secure storage & updates: We store your documents safely and help update them as life changes.
At LCS Legal, our priority is simple: to give you peace of mind knowing your wishes will be respected and your loved ones protected.
Start 2026 with Peace of Mind
As the year draws to a close, taking time to review your legal and estate plans can make a meaningful difference to your future and your family’s wellbeing. At LCS Legal, we specialise in professional Will writing and estate planning, helping ensure your arrangements are current, legally robust, and straightforward to administer when needed.
By acting now, you can move into 2026 with confidence that your wishes will be honoured, your assets protected, and the people who matter most supported through life’s unexpected moments. It’s a proactive step that provides reassurance today and lasting security for tomorrow.
Whether you need to create a Will, update your estate plan, set up LPAs, or review existing documents, LCS Legal is here to guide you with clarity, care, and expertise.
📞Ready to protect your future?
Our experienced estate planning specialists are here to help you every step of the way with clear guidance, tailored advice, and complete peace of mind.
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