Last week, my daughter turned three.
Three.
I’m not entirely sure how that happened so quickly.
It feels like only yesterday I was bringing home a tiny baby, wondering if I was doing everything right. Now she’s a confident, chatty little girl with strong opinions, endless energy, and a personality bigger than our entire house.
As we celebrated her birthday with cake, presents, and the inevitable mountain of wrapping paper, I found myself doing something many parents do on milestone birthdays.
Reflecting.
Looking back at how much she has grown and thinking about all the things I hope are still ahead of her.
As a solicitor, I spend a lot of my time helping families plan for the future. I talk about Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate, and protecting loved ones every day.
But standing there watching my daughter blow out her candles reminded me of something important.
Life changes quickly.
And every major life event should prompt us to ask ourselves a simple question:
“Does my Will still reflect my wishes?”
Why Children’s Birthdays Can Be a Useful Reminder
When children are young, life seems to change almost constantly.
One year they’re taking their first steps.
The next they’re starting nursery.
Before you know it, they’re heading off to school.
With every passing year, our circumstances evolve too.
Perhaps you’ve:
- Had another child
- Bought a property
- Got married or divorced
- Started a business
- Accumulated more savings
- Changed who you would trust as guardians for your children
The Will you drafted five, ten, or even twenty years ago may no longer reflect what you want today.
The Question Every Parent Should Ask
If the worst happened to me tomorrow, have I clearly set out:
✅ Who would look after my daughter?
✅ Who would manage any money she inherits?
✅ How and when she would receive that inheritance?
✅ Whether my current executors are still the right people?
✅ Whether my family would know where to find my Will?
These aren’t pleasant things to think about.
But they are some of the most important decisions we can make as parents.
It’s Not About Age
One thing I hear regularly is:
“I’m still young. I’ll update my Will later.”
The reality is that planning isn’t about age.
It’s about protecting the people we love most.
At three years old, my daughter depends on me for absolutely everything. That responsibility doesn’t disappear because planning for the future feels uncomfortable.
If anything, it makes the conversation even more important.
The Best Birthday Gift?
No, I’m not suggesting a Will wrapped up with a bow alongside the birthday presents!
But perhaps the best gift we can give our children isn’t another toy or gadget.
Perhaps it’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing we’ve done everything possible to protect them, whatever the future may bring.
As I packed away the decorations and reflected on just how fast these last three years have flown by, I added one item to my own to-do list:
Review my Will.
Because if life can change this much in three years, it’s worth making sure our plans keep up.
Is It Time to Review Your Will?
If you’ve recently had children, become grandparents, purchased a property, married, divorced, or simply haven’t looked at your Will for several years, it may be time for a review.
At Kirsty’s Law, we help individuals and families make sure their Wills continue to reflect their wishes and protect the people who matter most.
📞 01554 700502
📧 info@kirstyslaw.co.uk
🌐 www.kirstyslaw.co.uk
When was the last time you reviewed your Will? 💚
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