Leighan's List provides employers and individuals with information on estate planning. The project shares the creators' experience in resolving estates of family members (with and without wills) and reflects on what would have been helpful to manage those processes more smoothly.
Leighan's List is a free resource – an interactive list that can be used as part of an employee wellbeing package or by individuals wanting to make a difficult time a little bit easier for their loved ones. It does not seek to give advice or guidance or replace the need for people to get advice from legal professionals when considering a will.
"I would encourage everyone to consider and use Leighan’s list and have already recommended it to people, including some clients. It makes you realise the importance of setting out your wishes and making it easier for family to manage your affairs."
Jackie Lewis, MD, JLTC Ltd
THE PROJECT
MAKING YOUR WISHES CLEAR
Leighan’s List started as a project aimed at encouraging employers to add estate planning to their well-being offer, but when we began to share it, we had lots of queries from individuals and realised it could have a broader impact.
We aim to help people prepare for death by sharing information which helps make dealing with the aftermath of someone’s passing a more straightforward process and consistent with the wishes of the person who has died.
WHO IS THE PROJECT FOR?
The information on this site aims to encourage people to put their estates in order. It can also be shared with relatives, as most people will, at some time or other, have to deal with the estates of relatives who die – which can profoundly impact well-being and productivity.
The project includes:
A list template where you can record the information someone dealing with your estate will need to distribute your assets after your death.
The importance of having an up-to-date signed and witnessed will and how you might arrange this.
Information on selecting a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) for your death in service payment.
LEGAL ADVICE
PROTECTING YOUR LOVED ONES
This project provides information to support employers and individuals with estate planning. It does not replace the need for people to seek legal advice about the provision of a will.
Although our experience has not been with issues of incapacity and powers of attorney, we recognise that incapacity is a very similar topic, and employers might wish to explore this, too. Again, this should be with the input of legal expertise.
The project is in memory of our sister/sister-in-law, Leighan Elizabeth Phillips - a loving mother, partner, daughter and sister who spent most of her career in public service and died in January 2021, aged 45. Leighan and her family would have benefitted from the project.
"I think this is a wonderful project and so helpful. Especially to involve businesses to nudge younger (and older) people into making the necessary plans at a time when they are emotionally strong. I have used Leighans List myself and have recommended it to some other people- including my daughters and their boyfriends - it is a great discipline to adopt to have a record of all your details, and it highlights gaps that need to be filled, such as wills, etc."
WHO WE ARE
I'm Karen Phillips, and with my husband John O'Shea, I've developed a project in memory of my younger sister, who died in 2021.
Over the past few years, we have dealt with four estates, including the implications of blended families and intestacy. Our experience has shown us that it is vital for people to have difficult conversations about their wishes and have clear, legal and up-to-date documentation.
We have worked in the public and private sectors in several different roles, including leading organisations. The knowledge that this area is often overlooked or put off by individuals led us to conclude that the project might be a valuable information tool for employers.
IN MEMORY OF LEIGHAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS
The project is In memory of Leighan Elizabeth Phillips - a loving mother, partner, daughter and sister who spent most of her career in public service and who died in January 2021, aged 45.
CONTACT US
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the following individuals and organisations for their invaluable help with this project.
Nicola McNeely, HCR Law
For legal advice and guidance.
Kath Denton, Coincover
For creating and managing the website.
Gareth Emanuel and Joss Daye, Coleg y Cymoedd
For designing the interactive list and creating the video.
The People & Culture team at Coleg y Cymoedd
For helping us refine the materials and for setting up pilot groups in the college for us to test the project.
Freshwater
For being the first organisation to introduce Leighan’s List as a well-being offer for their people.
Our friends and colleagues
Huge thanks are also due to the many friends and colleagues who gave us feedback, encouragement and shared their stories.
Karen Workman, Coleg y Cymoedd
For encouraging me to pursue the initial idea & reading many drafts along the way.
Bethan Emanuel
For being a good sounding board for what would land with HR professionals and how to spread the word.
Superwoman
Finally thank you to Superwoman for giving us a launch platform for Leighan’s List and to the superwomen themselves- Bethan, Jacquie & and Anna for their support, love and 25 years of friendship.