Private client team news and updates—January 2026

The start of 2026 is an ideal moment to pause, take stock, and ensure your personal legal affairs are in order. Just as we review finances or personal goals at the start of a new year, a little legal housekeeping can provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind for the months ahead. Changes in family circumstances, asset values, tax rules, or simply the passage of time may mean that documents put in place years ago  no longer reflect your wishes or offer the protection you intended. Wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts, and other estate planning structures all benefit from regular review to ensure they remain effective and up to date.

In this newsletter, we highlight some key areas you should consider reviewing at the start of the year, including planning under the new APR/BPR regime, pensions in estate planning, and lifetime gifting strategies. A proactive approach today can prevent unnecessary stress and expense tomorrow.

• Edward Harper-Masters joins Russell-Cooke's private client team as a legal director.
• Melissa Mitchell joins Russell-Cooke's private client team as an associate.