Cookie Policy

Last updated: 8 November 2025

Version: 1.0

Table of Contents

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Key Points About Cookies:

  • Size: Very small files (typically just a few kilobytes)
  • Storage: Stored on your device by your web browser
  • Duration: Can be temporary (session) or persistent (stored for a set period)
  • Purpose: Remember your preferences and enhance your experience
  • Privacy: Cannot access other files on your device or install malware

Types of Cookies

Session Cookies

Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. These are essential for the website to function properly.

Persistent Cookies

Remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. These remember your preferences across visits.

First-Party Cookies

Set by the website you are visiting (keystoneestateplanning.co.uk). We control these cookies and they are used only by us.

Third-Party Cookies

Set by external services we use (e.g., Stripe for payments). These are governed by the third party's privacy policy.

Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as:

  • Local Storage: Stores data in your browser for faster access
  • Session Storage: Temporary storage that is cleared when you close the browser tab
  • Web Beacons: Small transparent images used to track email opens and engagement

For simplicity, we refer to all of these as "cookies" in this policy, but the same principles apply.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important purposes to provide you with a secure, functional, and optimized experience:

Security

  • Authenticate your identity
  • Prevent fraudulent activity
  • Protect against CSRF attacks
  • Maintain secure sessions

Functionality

  • Keep you logged in
  • Remember your preferences
  • Save your progress
  • Enable core features

Analytics

  • Understand usage patterns
  • Improve user experience
  • Identify technical issues
  • Optimize performance

Compliance

  • Remember your cookie preferences
  • Track consent choices
  • Maintain audit trails
  • Meet legal requirements

3. Cookies We Use

We categorize our cookies based on their purpose and whether you can control their use:

Essential Cookies (Cannot be Disabled)

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled. Without these cookies, core features of our service would not work.

Session Authentication Cookie

Purpose: Keeps you logged in as you navigate through the website

How it works: Stores an encrypted session identifier that proves you've successfully logged in

Duration: 30 days (or until you log out)

Why it's essential: Without this cookie, you would be logged out after every page load

CSRF Protection Token

Purpose: Protects against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks

How it works: Validates that form submissions and actions come from you, not a malicious third party

Duration: Session (deleted when you close the browser)

Why it's essential: Critical security measure to prevent unauthorized actions on your account

Cookie Consent Cookie

Purpose: Remembers your cookie preferences

How it works: Stores whether you've accepted or declined optional cookies

Duration: 1 year

Why it's essential: Prevents the cookie banner from appearing on every visit after you've made your choice

Load Balancer Cookie

Purpose: Ensures your requests are routed to the same server

How it works: Maintains session stability across our server infrastructure

Duration: Session

Why it's essential: Prevents errors and ensures consistent performance

Analytics Cookies (Opt-Out Available)

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve the user experience. They collect anonymized data only.

Usage Analytics Cookie

Purpose: Track page views, navigation patterns, and feature usage

Data collected: Pages visited, time on page, buttons clicked, navigation flow (all anonymized)

Duration: 2 years

How to opt-out: Disable analytics cookies in your cookie preferences

Performance Monitoring Cookie

Purpose: Monitor website performance and identify technical issues

Data collected: Page load times, errors, browser type, device type (anonymized)

Duration: 1 year

How to opt-out: Disable analytics cookies in your cookie preferences

Privacy Protection:

  • All analytics data is anonymized - we cannot identify individual users
  • IP addresses are truncated before storage
  • No personally identifiable information (PII) is collected
  • Data is aggregated for statistical analysis only

We Do NOT Use Advertising or Tracking Cookies

  • No advertising cookies
  • No behavioral tracking
  • No third-party ad networks
  • No social media tracking pixels
  • No cross-site tracking
  • No sale of your data to advertisers

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by trusted third-party services that we use to provide our services:

Stripe (Payment Processing)

Purpose: Secure payment processing for purchases

Cookies Set: Fraud detection, session management, payment security

Type: Essential (required for checkout to function)

Data Sharing: Payment card details are sent directly to Stripe (we never see your full card number)

Privacy Policy: stripe.com/gb/privacy

Cookie Policy: stripe.com/gb/cookie-settings

Note: Stripe cookies are only set when you visit the checkout page. They are essential for payment processing and cannot be disabled if you wish to make a purchase.

No Other Third-Party Cookies

We only use Stripe for third-party cookies. We do not use:

  • Google Analytics or other analytics platforms
  • Social media tracking (Facebook Pixel, Twitter Analytics, etc.)
  • Advertising networks
  • Third-party chat widgets or customer service tools
  • Marketing automation platforms
  • Heat mapping or session recording tools

6. Managing Cookies

You have several options for controlling and managing cookies:

Our Cookie Preference Center

The easiest way to manage cookies is through our Cookie Preference Center:

  • Access via the cookie banner when you first visit
  • Or visit your account settings → Privacy → Cookie Preferences
  • Toggle analytics cookies on/off
  • Changes take effect immediately

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

  • View and delete cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Clear all cookies when you close the browser
  • Make exceptions for specific websites
Google Chrome
  1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
  2. Click "Privacy and security" → "Cookies and other site data"
  3. Choose your preferred cookie settings

Full instructions →

Firefox
  1. Click the menu button → Settings
  2. Select "Privacy & Security"
  3. Under "Cookies and Site Data", choose your settings

Full instructions →

Safari
  1. Go to Safari → Preferences
  2. Click the "Privacy" tab
  3. Choose your cookie preferences

Full instructions →

Microsoft Edge
  1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
  2. Select "Cookies and site permissions"
  3. Choose "Manage and delete cookies and site data"

Full instructions →

Impact of Disabling Cookies

Important: Disabling Essential Cookies Will Affect Functionality

If you block or delete essential cookies:

  • You will not be able to log in or stay logged in
  • You cannot make purchases or complete orders
  • Security features will not work properly
  • Your preferences will not be saved
  • The website may not function correctly

Disabling analytics cookies will not affect website functionality, but it will prevent us from understanding how you use our service and making improvements.

Mobile Devices

On mobile browsers, cookie management varies by browser and operating system:

  • iOS (Safari): Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies
  • Android (Chrome): Chrome menu → Settings → Site Settings → Cookies

Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting. However, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. We respect your privacy choices through our cookie preference center rather than relying on DNT signals.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

  • The cookies we use
  • Our technology and platform
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Third-party services we integrate

How We Notify You

  • Material Changes: We will display a prominent notice on our website and may email you
  • Minor Changes: We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Version History: We maintain a version history for transparency

Reviewing This Policy

We recommend reviewing this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies. The current version is always available at keystoneestateplanning.co.uk/cookies.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Privacy Enquiries

Email: privacy@keystoneestateplanning.co.uk

For: Cookie questions, privacy concerns

Response Time: Within 3 business days

Data Protection Officer

Email: dpo@keystoneestateplanning.co.uk

For: Data protection matters, GDPR questions

Related Policies

Cookie Policy Summary

Essential Cookies:

  • Always active
  • Required for login
  • Enable security features
  • Cannot be disabled

Analytics Cookies:

  • Optional (opt-out available)
  • Anonymized data only
  • Help us improve
  • No personal tracking

Your Control:

  • Manage in preferences
  • Browser settings
  • No advertising cookies
  • Clear anytime

This summary is for convenience only. Please read the full Cookie Policy above for complete details.

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