New year, new resolve: Why getting your affairs in order still matters

The start of a new year brings a familiar pause for reflection. It is a time when many of us turn our attention to finances, planning, and the quiet hope that this will be the year we finally get on top of things. Bank statements are reviewed, resolutions are made, and there is a renewed appetite for sensible decisions that will stand the test of time. This makes now an especially fitting moment to think about wills and estate planning.

When people talk about saving money, the focus is often on trimming everyday costs. Yet some of the most meaningful financial protection a family can put in place comes not from spending less, but from planning better. Inheritance tax remains a significant concern for many families in the UK, and careful, informed planning can ensure that more wealth passes to loved ones rather than being lost unnecessarily. The law provides a range of allowances and reliefs, but they are only effective when properly applied.

It is also natural, particularly at this time of year, for people to look for simpler and more affordable options. Online templates and DIY wills can seem appealing, particularly when budgets feel under pressure. Too often, however, these documents fail to reflect personal circumstances or comply fully with legal requirements. The result can be confusion, delay, and avoidable cost for those left behind. What appears economical at the outset can prove to be anything but. The new year is traditionally a season for resolutions. In my view, there are three in particular that deserve serious consideration.

Resolution one – make a will

Many adults in the UK still do not have a will in place. For most, this is not a matter of indifference, but of timing; it is something intended for the future rather than the present. When someone dies without a will, strict intestacy rules apply. These rules make no allowance for personal relationships or individual wishes. Unmarried partners and long-standing dependants can find themselves unprotected, regardless of the life they shared with the deceased. Making a will is the only way to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your intentions.

New year, new resolve: Why getting your affairs in order still matters

A will is not something that can be completed once and then forgotten. As families grow, relationships change and assets evolve – a document that was once appropriate can gradually lose its relevance unless it is revisited from time to time. Marriage, divorce, new children or grandchildren, changes in property ownership, or shifts in tax legislation can all affect whether a will remains fit for purpose. Reviewing a will periodically helps ensure it continues to reflect both personal circumstances and the current legal landscape.

New year, new resolve: Why getting your affairs in order still matters

Perhaps the hardest resolution is also the most valuable. Encouraging conversations about wills within families and friendship groups can feel uncomfortable, yet they are often a relief once started. Knowing that plans are in place reduces uncertainty and spares loved ones from difficult decisions at an already emotional time. Normalising these discussions is a quiet but powerful act of care.

As a new year begins, many people are looking for practical ways to bring order, clarity, and reassurance into their lives. Thoughtful estate planning achieves all three. It is not about anticipating the worst, but about taking responsibility, protecting those you care about, and making choices while you still can. For many, it may be the most worthwhile resolution of all.