Money and legal paperwork can feel intimidating, so it tends to get pushed down the list – until something happens and everything has to be done in a hurry. This week’s New Year life checklist is about three focused actions that can significantly reduce future stress for you and those around you.
1. Find – or list – your key documents
Start by locating, or simply noting the location of:
*Your will (if you have one), and who holds the original
*Any lasting powers of attorney or equivalent documents
*Life insurance, income protection or critical illness policies
*Pension statements and beneficiary nominations
If you don’t have some of these in place, treat that as useful information.
Ask yourself:
*If I did make a will or power of attorney, who would I want to be responsible?
*Are there any dependants or people I’d particularly want to protect?
Getting clear on these answers is often the hardest part; professionals can help with the formalities.
2. Schedule one “future self” hour
Block out one hour in your diary this quarter – at a time you’re likely to have decent energy – and label it something kind, like “Future self admin”.
In that hour, you might:
*Check that the beneficiaries on your pensions and policies are up to date
*Make a note of any questions for a financial planner or solicitor
*Gather scattered paperwork into one place, even if you don’t sort it fully
Treat this as a starting point, not a onetime fix. One good hour is better than months of avoidance.
3. Notice any upcoming financial or legal turning points
Look ahead at the year and ask:
*Is there a likely house move, career change, separation, inheritance or business event?
*Are any children approaching an age where financial planning (for school, university, or adulthood) will become more important?
*Are you supporting someone whose finances or legal position may need more structure?
If the answer is yes, it may be worth:
*Making a note of which type of professional help you might need (e.g. family lawyer, private client solicitor, financial planner), and
*Giving yourself a realistic timeframe to seek that advice – before any decisions are rushed.
Start by locating, or simply noting the location of:
*Your will (if you have one), and who holds the original
*Any lasting powers of attorney or equivalent documents
*Life insurance, income protection or critical illness policies
*Pension statements and beneficiary nominations
If you don’t have some of these in place, treat that as useful information.
Ask yourself:
*If I did make a will or power of attorney, who would I want to be responsible?
*Are there any dependants or people I’d particularly want to protect?
Getting clear on these answers is often the hardest part; professionals can help with the formalities.
2. Schedule one “future self” hour
Block out one hour in your diary this quarter – at a time you’re likely to have decent energy – and label it something kind, like “Future self admin”.
In that hour, you might:
*Check that the beneficiaries on your pensions and policies are up to date
*Make a note of any questions for a financial planner or solicitor
*Gather scattered paperwork into one place, even if you don’t sort it fully
Treat this as a starting point, not a onetime fix. One good hour is better than months of avoidance.
3. Notice any upcoming financial or legal turning points
Look ahead at the year and ask:
*Is there a likely house move, career change, separation, inheritance or business event?
*Are any children approaching an age where financial planning (for school, university, or adulthood) will become more important?
*Are you supporting someone whose finances or legal position may need more structure?
If the answer is yes, it may be worth:
*Making a note of which type of professional help you might need (e.g. family lawyer, private client solicitor, financial planner), and
*Giving yourself a realistic timeframe to seek that advice – before any decisions are rushed.
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