But we're married, surely everything goes to the surviving partner?
If there is no will, there are rules on deciding who will inherit the estate.
This is a simple guide only, if you would like to understand more about your own personal position please call 08456 181560 or email through the contact us page.
Married person with children
Spouse gets everything up to *£250,000 & personal possessions
Anything remaining is divided into two:-
Half to the children at 18 or earlier marriage.
Half in trust during spouse's lifetime - he or she gets the income from it. On the
spouse's death this half goes to the children.
If a child predeceases, leaving children they will take that half share between
them
Married person, no children
If there are parents, brothers or sisters of the whole blood, nephew or nieces:-
Spouse gets everything up to *£400,000 & personal possessions.
Anything remaining is divided into two:-
Half of this goes to spouse
Half to parents. If no parent is living then it goes to brothers or sisters
or their children.
Married person, no parents, brothers or sisters of the whole blood, nephew or nieces
Spouse takes whole estate.
Unmarried person with children
Estate goes to the children at 18 or earlier if they are married before they are 18.
If a child predeceases, leaving their children, they get the estate in equal shares.
Unmarried person with no children
Estate goes to parents.
If none, then to siblings of the whole blood or their children.
If none, then to siblings of the half blood or their children
If none, then to grandparents.
If none, then to uncles and aunts of the whole blood or their children.
If none, then to uncles and aunts of the half blood or their children.
If there are no parents, siblings (whole or half blood), children of siblings
grandparents, uncles and aunts (whole or half blood), or children of uncles or aunts, estate
goes to the Crown (or to the Duchy of Lancaster or the Duke of Cornwall).
*Note that these figures have changed over the years. If considering rules in relation to a death which has already occurred, the figure in force at the date of that death must be used.
The figures shown apply for deaths on or after 1st February 2009.
For £99 we can give you peace of mind and knowledge that your family and your loved ones
will be looked after as you would have wished.
Call us now for free advice 08456 181560