6 Things Every Couple Should Do on January 1st, 2026
A yearly reset to protect your family, your future, and your peace of mind.
January 1st isn’t just about new goals.
It’s the perfect “annual check-in” to make sure the things that truly matter, your family, your finances, and your future, are protected and intentional.
Set aside 60–90 minutes together, grab coffee (or mimosas 😏), and go through this list.
You’ll walk away clearer, safer, and more connected.
1. Review Your Family Trust
If you have a trust, great. If you don’t, this may be your year to talk to an attorney about creating one.
Questions to review together:
Are the beneficiaries still correct?
Is the trustee still the right person?
Have we bought property, opened businesses, or added assets that AREN’T listed?
Do we both understand where documents are stored?
Why it matters:
A trust keeps your assets out of lengthy court processes, protects your family, and reduces stress during already hard moments.
Bonus tip: Put digital copies in a secure folder AND share the location with one trusted person.
2. Review Your Life Insurance
This one isn’t romantic until you realize it’s about love, protection, and legacy.
Ask yourselves:
Do we both have policies?
Is the coverage enough if something happened to either of us?
Have our incomes, kids, or debts changed?
Are our beneficiaries updated?
Rule of thumb: Most advisors recommend 10–15x annual income for coverage, but speak with a professional.
Love says, “If anything happens to me, you and the kids will be okay.”
3. Review Your Will
If you don’t have one, make it a priority #1 this year.
If you do have one:
Does it reflect your current wishes?
Are guardians for kids still correct?
Did anyone move, pass away, or no longer make sense in roles?
Do both of you understand the plan?
Important: Keep printed copies + digital versions backed up.
This step prevents confusion, arguments, and courts deciding for you.
4. Review Your Passwords & Digital Access
Imagine if one partner needed urgent access, but couldn’t unlock anything.
Create ONE secure location for:
Bank logins
Insurance portals
Investment accounts
Mortgage / utilities
Apple/Google passwords
Phone passcodes
Safe combinations
Important document folders
Use a password manager if you can.
Make sure BOTH people know where everything is, not just one partner.
5. Review Your Financials, Investments & Expenses
This is where you get honest and aligned.
Together, look at:
What came in vs. what went out last year
Credit card balances + interest
Savings + emergency fund
Investments (401k, IRA, stocks, crypto)
Subscriptions you forgot about
Big goals: home, travel, kids, retirement
Ask:
👉 “Does our money reflect our priorities?”
👉 “What do we want to change this year?”
This step reduces fights, resentment, and money stress.
6. The Most Important One…
Put your relationship first — ON PURPOSE.
Review your relationship like you review your finances.
Ask each other:
“What made you feel most loved this year?”
“What did we struggle with?”
“What do you need more of from me this year?”
“How do we build more date nights, connection, and time together?”
Then schedule:
✔ monthly date nights
✔ quarterly getaways (even staycations)
✔ intentional time without distractions
Because all the planning in the world means nothing if you forget why you’re doing it: each other.
BONUS: Create an “In Case of Emergency” Guide
This is one of the most loving, protective gifts you can give your partner.
Not because you expect anything to happen, but because life is unpredictable, and panic makes everything harder.
This guide should live in one folder, clearly labeled:
“Emergency Instructions — Read First”
Keep a printed copy AND a digital copy (shared securely).
What the guide should say (simple + clear)
1️⃣ First — Breathe and Stay Calm
“You don’t need to rush into decisions today. Take your time. You are safe. The plan is already in place.”
This prevents panic-based mistakes.
2️⃣ Call Family / Support
List 2–3 names in order.
Example:
Call: Mom
Call: My brother
Call: [Trusted friend]
3️⃣ Contact Our Estate Attorney
Include:
Name
Firm
Phone number
Email
Add a note:
“Tell them we have a will/trust and ask them to guide you step-by-step.”
4️⃣ Contact Our Life Insurance Company
Include:
Company name
Policy number
Phone number
Website
And what to say:
“I need to begin a claim. Please walk me through the process.”
5️⃣ Gather These Documents
Keep copies together in the same folder:
Trust & will
Life insurance policy
Marriage certificate
Driver’s license & passports
Deed/mortgage info
Bank & investment statements
List of passwords (or where to find them)
Funeral / wishes (if documented)
Label everything clearly.
6️⃣ Avoid Big Financial Decisions
Write clearly:
“Do NOT sell property, move investments, sign contracts, or loan money.
Wait until the attorney and financial advisor advise you.”
Protects them from predators, pressure, and emotional choices.
7️⃣ Let the Plan Work
End with reassurance:
“Everything is set up so you don’t have to figure this out alone.
People are here to help you. Take it one step at a time.”
Why this matters
Because in crisis mode, people forget everything.
This guide gives your spouse:
✔ clarity
✔ direction
✔ peace
✔ protection
And it says the quiet part: “I loved you enough to plan for your worst day.”
💡 Pro Tip
Revisit this once a year, right along with your trust, will, and insurance reviews.
Put the guide in the same folder and remind your spouse where it lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do all couples really need a will and trust?
Yes, even if you don’t think you “own much.”
A will and/or trust helps:
avoid court delays
avoid family conflict
ensure assets go where YOU want
protect children
protect your partner
Without one, the state decides — and it rarely matches your wishes.
2. What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
Think of it like this:
A will
➡ activates after death
➡ goes through court (probate)
➡ is public
A trust
➡ works while you’re alive and after
➡ avoids probate
➡ is private
➡ can control how and when money is used
Many families benefit from having both.
3. How often should couples review life insurance?
At least once per year, or anytime something major changes:
new baby
marriage or divorce
new home / mortgage
income change
health changes
business ownership
Most people are actually under-insured without realizing it.
4. Why do we need to review passwords?
Because almost everything important is digital now:
✔ bank accounts
✔ insurance portals
✔ investments
✔ bills
✔ subscriptions
✔ cloud storage
✔ important docs
If one partner handles most finances, the other partner can feel lost fast.
Keep passwords stored safely using:
a password manager, or
a secure printed list in your emergency folder
5. What should go inside an emergency guide?
A great emergency guide includes:
who to call first (family + attorney)
life insurance info
financial contacts
list of key documents
bank & investment guidance
do-not-do list
calm step-by-step instructions
It’s about clarity, not fear.
6. Isn’t talking about this kind of depressing?
Actually, it’s the opposite.
Planning creates:
relief
security
trust
emotional safety
It says: “I care enough about you to make things easier — no matter what.”
That’s love. ❤️
7. What if we can’t afford an attorney right now?
You still have options.
You can:
use temporary online legal templates (then upgrade later)
organize your documents
list accounts, passwords, and insurance
create your emergency guide
talk openly about wishes
Something is always better than nothing.
Then, when finances allow, upgrade with an estate attorney.
8. Where should we store everything?
Use two locations:
1️⃣ A physical folder (fireproof if possible)
2️⃣ A secure digital backup (password protected)
Tell at least one trusted person where it is.
9. What’s the single most important step to start with?
Start with one conversation.
Sit down, open the notes app, and ask:
“If something happened tomorrow, what would you want me to know?”
From there, everything else becomes easier.
10. When should kids be included in these conversations?
Age-appropriate, not fear-based.
Older teens and adult children can know:
where documents live
who to call
general expectations
The goal isn’t to scare them — it’s to empower them.