As the year draws to a close and the festive season approaches, many of us feel a natural shift. Life slows, even briefly. Homes fill with conversation, shared meals, familiar routines, and long standing traditions. For some, it’s joyful and restorative. For others, it carries a quiet ache, missing those who are no longer here, or feeling the weight of relationships that are complicated or changing.
Working in Private Client, supporting individuals and families with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Probate means seeing these moments from a different angle. Behind every legal document is a life lived, relationships shaped over time, and people trying to do the right thing for those they love. At this time of year especially, the human side of the law feels closer to the surface.
It’s often during the holidays that families truly notice the passing of time. Parents appear a little older. Children a little taller. Stories are retold, laughter fills the room, and conversations occasionally drift toward the future, sometimes lightly, sometimes with an unspoken concern.
These moments matter. They are not uncomfortable or pessimistic; they are rooted in care. Yet in my work, I regularly meet families after a loss who say, “We meant to talk about this,” or “We just never thought we’d need to.” Life is busy, and difficult conversations are easy to postpone, until circumstances force them.
Having a Will in place, or arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney, is not about expecting the worst, it is about offering reassurance. It is about sparing loved ones' uncertainty at a time when emotions are already raw and allowing them to focus on supporting one another, rather than navigating confusion or disagreement.
Through Probate work, I’ve seen how much comfort clarity can bring. Knowing wishes were thought through, recorded properly, and respected can ease tension, prevent conflict, and provide a sense of calm during what is often one of the most difficult periods a family will face.
This time of year provides a rare pause. Between celebrations and quieter evenings, it offers space to reflect on what truly matters and whether the practical foundations are in place to protect it.
That might mean:
• Reviewing an existing Will to ensure it still reflects your wishes
• Considering Lasting Powers of Attorney if they’re not yet in place
• Having an open, gentle conversation with family members
These steps don’t need to feel overwhelming. Taken calmly and thoughtfully, they are acts of care.
Above all, this season is about presence, being around the table together, sharing stories, creating memories that will one day be held onto tightly. In Private Client work, we are reminded daily that time is precious and moments like these cannot be taken for granted.
If this time of year encourages us to cherish one another a little more, and to take small steps to protect the people we love, then it is already doing something deeply meaningful.
In Private Client work, experience matters, not just in legal knowledge, but in understanding people. At Lawcomm Solicitors, we see how thoughtful planning can reduce uncertainty, protect relationships, and bring reassurance at the moments it’s needed most.
If this time of year prompts reflection on family, the future, or conversations still to be had, our Private Client team is here to listen and support you, whether that’s now or when the time feels right.
If a quiet, confidential conversation would be helpful, you’re welcome to contact Lawcomm Solicitors for a no-obligation discussion on 01489 864 173 or by email at private.client@lawcomm.co.uk
As the year draws to a close, our hope is that you’re able to enjoy the moments that matter most, while knowing that when the time comes, you’ve done what you can to protect them.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and meaningful season.
