The elite years don't need to be consecutive. However, I'm not sure whether in your case, you'll get LTPP in August or January.

AFAIK on the MR side, elite years don't matter at all for lifetime status, just lifetime nights and lifetime points. IIRC MR LTP in the past required 12 years in the MR program, but at any level, not necessarily elite. It would be a strange case if the 12 years of membership weren't consecutive, perhaps if someone had been temporarily suspended from participation in the program for violating some of the rules. I don't remember whether bankruptcy is a disqualification for participation in MR.

The only programs I can think of that might require consecutive years of Plat status form lifetime Plat would be FB (AF/KLM) and maybe a couple other nonUSA airlines. LH has some lifetime level that's only for old people and might be based on consecutive elite years. I'm not sure about Accor or IC.