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Care & Will Planning2 min check

Later-Life Planning Checklist

See which essential later-life documents you have in place and which gaps to address.

Short answer

Six things every UK adult should have in place by 60: 1) Will (updated for current family/assets), 2) Two LPAs (Property & Finance + Health & Welfare), 3) Pension nominations (death benefit forms), 4) Funeral wishes, 5) Digital legacy (passwords, accounts), 6) Care preferences (where you want to live, what care you'd accept). Without LPAs, families face a £3,000–£10,000 Court of Protection deputyship if you lose capacity.
Step 1 of 10%

What's in place

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used
Up-to-date will?, Lasting Powers of Attorney registered?, Funeral wishes / pre-paid plan?, Pension expression of wish updated?, Digital legacy (passwords, accounts)?.
Calculation approach
The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage
Care & Will Planning. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version
No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.
Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

The checklist scores your current preparedness across legal, financial and personal categories, then prioritises gaps by impact and cost. LPAs and a current will are top priorities — both are inexpensive and prevent serious problems.

Worked example

A 65-year-old with a will from 1995 and no LPAs scores 30%. Priority list: register both LPAs (~£164 total), update will (£200–£500), nominate pension beneficiaries (free), then write funeral wishes.

Who should use this

  • •Adults aged 50+
  • •Anyone with children, a partner or significant assets
  • •People with parents in their 70s+ (used as a conversation starter)
  • •Recently widowed or divorced people

Common mistakes

  • ×Assuming a spouse automatically inherits everything (only true with a will)
  • ×Doing only the Property LPA and not the Health one
  • ×Outdated wills naming ex-spouses or deceased people
  • ×Forgetting digital accounts — locked phones lock out everything

Frequently asked questions

Can I write my own will?▾

Yes but mistakes are common. Use a STEP-qualified solicitor for anything beyond a simple estate.

Do LPAs need a solicitor?▾

No — DIY via gov.uk costs £82 each. Solicitors charge £200–£500 each but check capacity and wording.

When does a will become invalid?▾

On marriage (unless made in contemplation of marriage). Divorce removes the ex-spouse but doesn't void the rest.

Related calculators

LPA Checker →Inheritance Tax Estimator →Care Funding Options →State Pension Forecast →