Terry & Co.

Wills in the context of marriage and cohabiting

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

If a person lives with a partner outside of marriage
(whether of the same sex or of different sexes) then no matter
how long you may be together your partner is not legally related to
you in any way and in the event of death he/she would be very
unlikely to receive anything if you were to die without making a
will. If you want your partner as opposed, say, to relatives who
might detest your partner, to benefit in the event of your death then
a will is absolutely essential for a cohabiting couple.

 

If you specifically want your partner to receive a benefit from your estate when you die then you must make a will if you are not married to your partner.

 

The intestacy rules only benefit "family" and in this context your
partner is not "family" at all. What makes the situation very often
worse, of course, is that the "family" may often dislike the partner
and so to the grief of loss is added the bitterness of
callous treatment at the hands of the "family". This does not always
happen but it is a common enough situation which can be avoided
by taking elementary precautions. A will which makes provision
for your partner may also appoint him/her executor so that you
know that your estate will be dealt with in the way you would wish
after death.

The three most common situations which arise on intestacy are:-

1. Where the deceased leaves a spouse but no children and no
near relatives in which case the spouse takes all.

2. Where the deceased leaves a spouse and children in which
case, provided the estate exceeds a certain amount, the property
is divided between the spouse and children.

3. Where the deceased leaves neither wife nor children in which
case certain near relatives benefit in a given order of priority.


It can readily be seen from the third situation that the surviving
partner of a co-habiting couple can be left high and dry so it is
almost always the case that clients in such a position should make
a will.

Of course, no-one likes to think about death very much and many
people feel they do not have much to leave anyway but it is
surprising what comes to light in the way, for example, of
insurance policies, benefits from pension plans at work, policies
which pay off mortgages etc. Naturally, you also have to make
sure that your will is kept up to date from time to time so that it
reflects your real wishes.

 

A divorcing couple should also remember that divorce affects inheritance under an existing will. A will made during a marriage may no longer be appropriate when there has been a divorce. Most people will not want an ex spouse to benefit under the terms of their will. It is almost always prudent to review any will following a divorce.


Please contact David Terry at David_Terry@dterry.demon.co.uk if you need specific advice or further information.