What rights do we have if we are not married

This month business expert Katherine Rowell from D&K Wills answers some important questions regarding marriage legalities.

I’m not married to my partner, what are the implications?
With only 50% (roughly) of UK adults identifying as being married in 2016 this brings up some complexities when one partner dies without a will. Statistics tell us that 70% of the UK population over the age of 18 do not have a valid will in place. One of the most vulnerable groups not having a will are those who are not married to their partner.

Common law marriage
Many people I speak to believe that if they have been together or living together for a certain length of time then they will get the same protections and automatic inheritances as those who are married. This thinking is often referred to as a common law marriage. This is untrue. In the UK there is no such thing as a common law marriage.

But we have children together’
The next question I am normally asked is ‘but we have children together, surely that changes things? Again, no it makes no difference. Your children will inherit your partner’s estate, this will also include children from previous relationships.

What can we do?
The easiest way to solve all the above issues it to put a valid will into place. This can be done for as little as £99 and be completed within three days if necessary. We can also process wills over the phone as well as in person.

For more information please contact Katherine on 01427 809919. Keep a look out for more content from Katherine in our May/June of Doncaster Echo edition