January is when people reset

Diaries are cleared, priorities sharpen and there is a renewed focus on getting things in order. It is also one of the most sensible moments in the year to look at something many people postpone: wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

At this time of year, we see a shift in mindset. People are more open to practical conversations about responsibility and protection, particularly when they have children, businesses, or shared lives that depend on them. The reason this matters is simple. When the right documents are missing, the consequences tend to surface at the worst possible moment.

Below are a few examples that show why this work goes far beyond paperwork.

Parents with young children

A couple in their late thirties contacted us after a sudden health scare forced them to confront a reality they had not planned for. They owned a home, had children, and held life insurance, yet they had never made wills or LPAs.

They assumed because they were married that everything would pass smoothly between them which based on the value of their estates would not happen under the Intestacy Rules (the Government set rules which dictates who inherits your estate if there is no valid will)

Furthermore, without wills, there would have been uncertainty around who would care for their children if both parents had died, as well as delays and restrictions around accessing funds. Important decisions would have been made by the intestacy rules rather than by them.

We helped them put clear arrangements in place, covering guardianship, financial provision and trustees for the children, and authority to act if either parent lost mental capacity. What changed most was not the paperwork, but their confidence that their family would be protected if the unexpected happened.

A business owner without an LPA

A business owner lost mental capacity following an accident. No LPA had been prepared.

The impact was immediate. Bank accounts could not be accessed, contracts stalled, and employees were left without direction while an application to the Court of Protection for a deputy to be appointed was made. The process took time and created emotional and financial strain at a moment when stability was needed most.

An LPA would have allowed trusted individuals to step in and keep the business running. This situation is a reminder that LPAs are not about later life. They are about safeguarding continuity when circumstances change suddenly.

An unmarried couple assuming legal protection

A long-term couple owned a property together and shared their lives in every meaningful way. They were not married and had never made wills.

When one partner died unexpectedly, the surviving partner discovered that the law did not reflect the life they had built together. Intestacy rules applied, leading to no financial provision, distress and uncertainty at an already difficult time.

This is an issue we encounter regularly. Unmarried couples are particularly vulnerable if they rely on assumptions rather than formal arrangements. The concept of “common law partners” does not exist when it comes to inheriting under the Intestacy Rules, regardless of the length of the relationship.

Why January is the right moment

Life evolves quietly. A new home, the arrival of children, the growth of a business, or changes in health can all mean that existing documents no longer work as intended.

January creates a natural pause to ask some important questions. Are your wishes still accurately reflected? Would the right people be able to act for you if needed? Would your family or business be left navigating avoidable obstacles?

For parents, business owners, and unmarried couples, these questions are especially pressing.

Taking the next step

Preparing or updating wills and LPAs does not need to feel overwhelming. With the right guidance, it becomes a structured conversation about what matters to you and how best to protect it.

January is a narrow window where good intentions often turn into action. If this has been on your mind for some time, now is the moment to address it. Our team would be very happy to help you work through what you need and why it matters.

If this has been on your mind, now is a good time to act

January often creates a natural pause to review what is in place and whether it still works. A short conversation now can prevent uncertainty later.

Our Legacy team regularly supports clients through wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney with clarity and care, focusing on practical outcomes rather than legal complexity.

If you would like to explore your next steps, please email enquiries@lauruslaw.co.uk, or call 020 3146 6300