As a busy mum to a young baby and a primary school aged child, as you can imagine, staying on top of the day to day tasks really is tiring. However I really like having things in order- meals planned, school bags packed ahead of time and documents filed where I can find them. But even when you're organised like this, there are life admin jobs that have a way of piling up even when you think you’ve got a handle on things. Tasks like updating a will or reviewing insurance never feel urgent, so they end up getting put to the bottom of the pile waiting longer than they should. The problem is, when something does come up you don’t want to be caught unprepared. Taking time to sort the essentials might not be thrilling, but it does mean fewer headaches down the line and one less thing to think about in an already full week. Here are some tips for getting your life admin in order, you'll thank yourself later!
Organise Your Important Documents
Important documents are often scattered in drawers or buried in email inboxes, but having easy access to birth certificates, passports, property deeds, and tax records can be so important in emergencies. Taking the time to organise these, whether that's in a secure physical folder or via encrypted cloud storage, brings such peace of mind. You’ll thank yourself if you ever need to locate something quickly or if someone else needs to act on your behalf.
Write or Update Your Will and Set Up a Lasting Power of Attorney
One of the most commonly delayed, yet critically important, life admin tasks is writing a will. Many people assume it’s something to think about later in life or only relevant if you own significant assets. In reality, everyone should have a will, regardless of age or wealth. It’s not just about who inherits what, it’s about ensuring your wishes are respected, appointing guardians for your children, and removing uncertainty for those you leave behind. Consulting with professional will writing solicitors help you to make sure that your will is legally sound and genuinely reflects your intentions. That leads to another often overlooked task: setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). No one likes to consider becoming incapacitated, but illness and accidents can strike without warning but an LPA allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you're no longer able to. Without one, your loved ones could face legal barriers and court proceedings just to manage your affairs. Setting up an LPA now ensures your preferences are followed and reduces the burden on your family.
Review Your Insurance Policies and Check Your Beneficiaries
Insurance is another area where procrastination can cost you dearly. Whether it’s life, travel, home or contents insurance, failing to review your policies regularly could mean you’re underinsured or even not covered at all. If your circumstances have changed, perhaps you’ve moved house, started a family, or taken on new financial responsibilities, then it’s time to reassess your cover. By shopping around, you might also find better deals that offer more comprehensive protection for less. It’s also important to review your named beneficiaries on pensions, life insurance policies, and bank accounts. These assets may not be governed by your will, meaning they could end up in the wrong hands if the information is outdated. Life changes like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child should always prompt a beneficiary review to make sure your assets go where you intend.
Build an Emergency Fund
Finally, building an emergency fund might not feel urgent, but it’s one of the most valuable safety nets you can create. Unexpected expenses, from a boiler breakdown to a job loss, can happen at any time and when you have little ones at home, you can't take the risk of being without the things they need. Even small, regular contributions to a dedicated savings account can make a big difference when you need it most.
Life admin isn’t exciting, but I’ve learned that carving out even a small window for it makes a big difference when the week gets full. With a baby and a school-aged child, and all the things that come with caring for them and the house, it’s easy to let things slip. But having these tasks done means fewer last minute scrambles and less stress for everyone. As much as it feels dull in the moment it all pays off in calm later on. Taking a few hours to complete these tasks can save your loved ones from confusion, legal problems, and unnecessary heartache.
