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Where there is a Will, there is a way

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This was first published in the Wigan Observer on 11th February

Q: My long-term partner has recently passed away without making a Will. Where do I stand legally with his inheritance?

A: None of us want to think about the inevitable but as the saying goes there are certain things in life, including birth, taxes and our unfortunate demise at the end of it all. Planning for what might be after our death is still a taboo subject and one that all too many seek to avoid thinking about, to the ultimate cost of their loved ones. Recent figures suggest that over half of the UK population have not made a Will. This can lead to a number of complications especially when involving co-habitating couples.

Making a will is something we all should consider, not just the elderly or the rich.  Very few people decide to make a will, which means that there is uncertainty and often unfairness when someone dies. If you die without making a will (which is called dying intestate), then Intestacy Rules will be used to decide who should receive your property.  These rules are complex and often your next of kin is not the person whom you would wish your estate to pass. The simple solution is for you to make a will, and this becomes even more important if you are in one of the following situations:

You have children of a young age. No one wants to think about dying before their children have reached adulthood, but by considering this prospect, you can provide financially for your children and appoint Guardians to look after them. Provisions for Guardians will not take effect until there is no surviving person who has parental responsibility for your child(ren) and if you are an unmarried father, you cannot appoint a Guardian unless you have had care of your child immediately preceding your death.

If you are contemplating or going through a divorce, your spouse will remain your next of kin until a Decree Absolute is pronounced and if you die without making a will before the final decree, your spouse will be entitled to your property according to the Intestacy Rules, which may not be your intention. This will include the first £250,000 and a “life interest” in half of whatever remains. If children are involved they will only receive inheritance if the estate is worth over £250,000, which is larger than most families might expect.


If you simply live together your partner is not your next of kin according to the Intestacy Rules meaning when you die they are not automatically entitled to your own property. When someone dies without a Will, it is not guaranteed that their wishes will be met. For example, if your partner is still legally married to someone else, the ex-partner will inherit the bulk of the estate according to the Intestacy Rules.


Co-habiting couples have far less rights than couples that are married or in a Civil Partnership in relation to shared assets, particular those that might be “owned” in the sole name of one partner.


If no provision is made and your partner has been living with you for over 2 years immediately preceding your death, they could apply for a share of your estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.  This can be a complex area of law, there is no guarantee of success and legal costs could be incurred your partner could ill afford. Any claim under the Act  must start within six months of the Grant of Probate being obtained, or you may lose your right to do so. If you think you may be entitled to bring a claim, you should seek legal advice urgently.

All said and done the only way to ensure that your partner receives the benefit of your property is to make a Will before its too late.