Begin 2026 with peace of mind

As we step into a new year, many people focus on healthy habits and fitness goals. But January is also the ideal time to review and update your legal affairs. Deborah Flynn, Head of Wills, Probate and Inheritance at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is encouraging local people to begin 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. Deborah, 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 Deborah. “The start of the 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.” Deborah 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.”

“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, Deborah says it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced legal professional to ensure that all documents are thorough, valid, and reflect your intentions accurately.

Cartmell Shepherd works with clients across Northumberland, Cumbria and nationally. We have seven offices at Hexham, Haltwhistle, Brampton, Rosehill Carlisle, Carlisle city centre, Penrith and Cockermouth. The firm’s Wills, Probate and Inheritance department is ranked in the prestigious Legal500 Directory.

To discuss writing or updating your Will, LPAs or any other aspect of estate administration, please get in touch by calling 01228 514077 or emailing enquiries@cartmells.co.uk.