New Year’s Resolutions for 2026?
Many of us start each new year with New Year’s Resolutions of some sort and online estimates suggest that around 72% of us will be doing so as we go into 2026. Although the most popular resolutions tend to be around health, exercise, diet or money, it is also be a good time to review how well we are protecting ourselves and those we love from a legal perspective. Iain Grimes, Managing Partner at Fraser Dawbarns, outlines his top legal review points for the New Year.
Personal Issues
- Do you have a Will? If so, have your circumstances changed since it was prepared? If so, it could be time to review it – for instance to take account of new grandchildren as beneficiaries? If you don’t have a Will, is it time you did – anyone who owns a property or has a family should consider having one.
- Have you made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? There are two types, one relating to Property & Affairs and the other relating to Health & Welfare. LPAs are not just for the elderly; they give peace of mind to anyone who makes one that if they should be unable to make their own decisions for any reason then someone they trust can make them on their behalf.
- Have you embarked on a significant new relationship or moved in with a partner recently? If you are living with someone new, you might wish to consider making a cohabitation agreement.
- Alternatively, if you are about to marry or have just done so, would a Pre or Post-Nuptial Agreement be a sensible way to protect the assets that you have worked for before the marriage? While this may not seem very romantic, it could provide some clarity and potential cost-savings if the relationship didn’t run smoothly in the future.
Business Issues
- Does your business have employees? If so, do your employment contracts accurately reflect the way your team works, and are you up to speed with the new employment law changes coming into force shortly? If not, this should be a priority for early 2026. Find out more here.
- Have you set up a new business, changed the structure of your business or gained or lost a business partner? If so, do you have the right partnership agreement or shareholder agreement to reflect this and do you have appropriate terms of business?
- Are you a buy-to-let landlord? If so, have you kept up to date with the changes that are being introduced by the Renters’ Rights Bill becoming law? We will be running seminars for buy-to-let landlords in February. If you would like to join us please contact marketing@fraserdawbarns.com
The team at Fraser Dawbarns can help with all these issues, and any other legally related New Year’s Resolutions. Please contact us on info@fraserdawbarns.com
How To Contact Us:
To contact a member of our team, you can fill in our online enquiry form, email info@fraserdawbarns.com, or call your nearest office below. If you’d like to speak to a member of our team at one of our offices across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, visit our offices page.
Wisbech: 01945 461456
March: 01354 602880
King’s Lynn: 01553 666600
Ely: 01353 383483
Downham Market: 01366 383171
This article aims to supply general information, but it is not intended to constitute advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the law referred to is correct at the date of publication and to avoid any statement which may mislead. However, no duty of care is assumed to any person and no liability is accepted for any omission or inaccuracy. Always seek advice specific to your own circumstances. Fraser Dawbarns LLP is always happy to provide such advice.