The End-of-Year Life Planning Check-Up You Shouldn’t Skip Before 2025 Ends

As the year draws to a close, many people think about finances, plans and goals for the months ahead. It’s also an ideal moment to look at the personal and legal arrangements already in place. Life rarely stays still for long; families grow, relationships change, financial positions shift and your planning should reflect where you are today. Taking a moment to review these details now can prevent confusion later and ensure that everything still aligns with your current priorities and circumstances.

A short review before 2025 ends ensures your documents are accurate, up to date and easy for loved ones to follow if they ever need to.

1. Make Sure Your Will Still Represents Your Wishes

A Will is most effective when it mirrors your current circumstances and intentions. Even small life updates can influence how your estate should be handled.

When reviewing your Will, consider:

• Whether your beneficiaries are still the right people

• If your executors remain suitable and willing

• Any family changes such as marriages, separations or new children

• New property, savings, or personal items acquired this year

• Whether any gifts or instructions need adjusting

Many people discover that their Will no longer reflects their actual situation once they take another look. An end-of-year review keeps your plans clear and prevents avoidable complications.

2. Check Whether Your Lasting Powers of Attorney Need Updating

LPAs offer protection and clarity if you ever lose the ability to make decisions yourself. They remain valid long-term, but the people or preferences you once chose might no longer fit your present circumstances.

Think about whether:

• Your chosen attorneys are still appropriate

• Anyone named has moved away, changed availability or no longer suits the role

• Additional guidance or preferences should be added

• You want to update how decisions should be made on your behalf

If you don’t yet have LPAs, completing them before the year ends ensures someone you trust can act for you if ever needed.

3. Review Any New Assets or Financial Changes from 2025

Significant financial changes should be reflected in how your estate is organised. This might include:

• Buying, selling or transferring property

• Opening new savings, investments or pensions

• Receiving an inheritance

• Starting, altering or closing a business

• Gifting assets to family members

Documenting these changes helps ensure everything is properly accounted for and prevents parts of your estate from being overlooked or misunderstood later.

4. Don’t Forget Your Beneficiary Nominations

Some assets pass outside of your Will. Pensions, insurance policies and certain investment products follow the nominations held with the provider. These should always match your current intentions.

If you had any major life changes in 2025 such as a relationship change, new child, or shift in family responsibilities it’s worth checking these details now so everything aligns.

5. Bring Your Digital Life Into Your Planning

Digital life now plays a major role in personal affairs. Without proper organisation, important accounts or information can become difficult for loved ones to manage.

Before the year ends, take a moment to ensure:

• Passwords are recorded safely

• Key digital assets (such as online banking, investment portals or cryptocurrency) are documented

• Important accounts are listed somewhere secure

• Someone you trust understands how to access essential information when required

This helps prevent delays and confusion at a time when clarity is most important.

6. Review Any Trusts or Special Arrangements You Already Have

If you have a Trust in place, it’s worth checking whether it still reflects your intentions and circumstances. Consider:

• Whether your trustees are still suitable

• If any beneficiaries need adding or adjusting

• Whether new assets from 2025 should be included

• Whether the purpose of the Trust still works for your needs

Keeping Trust arrangements up to date ensures everything remains clear and correctly managed.

7. Make Sure Everything Is Stored Safely and Someone Knows Where

Organisation plays a key role in effective estate planning. Even the most carefully prepared documents can cause difficulties if they can’t be easily located.

Before the year closes, check that:

• Your Will and LPAs are stored securely

• A trusted individual knows exactly where they are

• Any digital copies are stored safely

• Instructions for accessing documents are easy to follow

This simple step saves considerable time and stress for the people responsible for handling your affairs.

How LCS Legal Supports Your Planning

LCS Legal offers clear, reliable guidance to help you keep your estate planning up to date.

• Wills & Trusts: We prepare new documents and update existing ones so your wishes are set out accurately.

• Lasting Powers of Attorney: We provide full support with creating and completing LPAs.

• Probate assistance: We offer practical guidance to families and executors throughout the probate process.

• Secure document storage:  We store your important documents safely, with the flexibility to update them as life changes.

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Conclusion

A short end-of-year review is one of the simplest ways to make sure your legal and estate arrangements still match the changes that 2025 brought. It helps highlight anything that may be outdated, ensures your documents remain accurate, and gives you clarity heading into the new year. If your check-up reveals anything that needs updating or completing, LCS Legal can guide you through the next steps with clear, practical support so your plans are organised, current and easy for your loved ones to follow.

📞 Looking to organise your planning before the year ends?Our estate planning team is here to guide you with clear, straightforward support at every stage.

👉 Schedule your appointment today and ensure your wishes are properly in place