2026 Legal Checklist: 4 Tasks to Protect Your Family and Business This Year

We all have the standard New Year’s resolutions: gym, budget, travel. But what about your “legal health”? The most valuable legal moves are often the ones you make before a problem ever starts.

Here is your 2026 checklist: four boxes to check before spring to ensure you are legally compliant and fully protected.

1. The “Beneficiary” Audit

The Task: Log into your 401(k), IRA, life insurance, and primary bank accounts to check your “Payable on Death” (POD) designations.

Why It Matters: This is one of the most common estate planning mistakes. Your beneficiary designation overrides your will. You could spend thousands on a perfect estate plan, but if your 401(k) still lists an ex-spouse from ten years ago, that ex-spouse receives the money. No exceptions.

If you experienced a major life change in 2025, like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, your accounts may need to be updated. Take 15 minutes to review them. For a more thorough review of your estate plan in the new year, get in touch with your attorney.

2. The Auto Insurance “Gap” Check

The Task: Pull your auto insurance declaration page and look specifically at your Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage limits.

Why It Matters: In July 2025, North Carolina raised the minimum liability limits to $50,000/$100,000. While this was a necessary update to keep up with the costs of medical care, it created a false sense of security for many drivers who believe “compliance” equals “safety.”

With the cost of medical care and vehicle repairs skyrocketing in 2026, the new minimum is often not enough to cover a serious accident. If you are hit by a driver carrying only the state minimum, even if you are not at fault, your own UIM coverage could be the only thing saving you from a mountain of medical debt. You may want to consider carrying limits well above the $50k minimum to protect yourself.

3. For Businesses: The “Verbal Contract” Audit

The Task: Make a list of any vendor, client, or partner you are currently working with on a “handshake” deal.

Why It Matters: In North Carolina, verbal contracts are generally valid, but they can be a nightmare to enforce. “We’ve been working together for years” works great until supply chain prices spike or a deadline is missed. Without a paper trail, you are at the mercy of “he said, she said.”

Stop relying on memory. Every key relationship, whether with a client or a vendor, should be documented. You need a clear agreement that defines the scope of work, rates, and how disputes will be resolved. Taking the time to put these terms in writing today provides the clarity and legal protection you’ll need if a disagreement arises tomorrow.

4. For Businesses: The “Independent Contractor” Reality Check

The Task: If you hire freelancers, gig workers, or “1099” contractors, audit their actual daily duties as compared with what is stated in their contracts.

Why It Matters: The regulations distinguishing an “employee” from a “contractor” have tightened significantly over the last several years. The IRS and the NC Industrial Commission are still aggressively cracking down on misclassification.

If you control their hours, provide their equipment, and direct their methods, the law says they are likely employees, regardless of what your contract says. Misclassification fines can be devastating. Make 2026 the year you review your workforce to ensure your contracts match reality.

Start the New Year with Dozier Miller Law Group

These four checks might seem small, but they address some of the biggest risks your family or business can face. It is far better to find a gap in your coverage or a missing document now, while it is easy to fix, rather than waiting for an emergency.

Dozier Miller Law Group has been protecting North Carolina families and businesses for decades. Whether you need a quick contract review or a comprehensive estate update, our team is ready to help. Don’t let these tasks linger. Contact us today to start 2026 with a clean slate.