18/05/2026
I have been doing legal admin for 15+years.
Anyway in the last year I have had quite a few clients that were not prepared for major life changes.
Some of the difficulties they faced were because they had no knowledge or experience in dealing with household accounts, life admin etc.
So I have written this little checklist to help you consider what is necessary in future planning.
Things to consider
* does each person have life insurance?
* does each person have a Will?
* has each person considered Making a Lasting Power of Attorney? Martin Lewis, (moneysavingexpert.com & ITV show) recommends every adult over age of 25+ appoint an attorney as you never know when it may be needed
* does each person know how the household accounts operate?
* does the household have a list of accounts, password details etc in a mutually agreed place in times of need?
* are the household bills in a joint account so both people have legal access in case of accident or emergency? (If they are in a single named account this causes a lot of unnecessary stress & hardship)
* does each person have the knowledge & experience to complete the necessary life admin & operate the household bills? (Practice/discussion sessions with dummy guide notes can help)
These issues are best dealt with during times of calm as they are easier to cope with.
Repetition and practice makes all the difference because during times of emotional stress our brain relies on default programming.
I know future planning can be an uncomfortable subject for many. However, many of my clients have said they wish they had dealt with it much sooner.
A small amount of discomfort now is so much better than a whole load of suffering if things happen in future.
Hope this helps.
Serena
Martin Lewis' free site helps you save on car insurance, credit cards, mortgages & more. Find expert money tips, top deals, comparisons & tools to cut costs.