Died with no Will.

[The Lone Gunman]

Thanks LG

No matter how long they live together?

It has been some time since I looked into this, and since then there has been some new legislation passed about civil partnerships etc, so I can not be sure. Sorry.

I looked into it because I had lived with my (now) wife for quite some time with no intention of getting married. Then a situation arose between me, her and the rest of my family. I realised that, should I die, my family could claim everything that she and I had worked for.

At the time it did not matter how long you had been together she would have no claim on my estate and any will could be contested with no sure outcome for her.

As I said, you need to check new status regulations.

[DaveB]

Hi guys, I have a question which I thought someone may know the answer to.

If a british citizen in france died without a will, was living with a lady for 10 years (in france) but not married and has 2 children in the UK.

a) Does the estate go to the next of kin (2 x children)
b) Does the fact that he lived with someone for 10 odd years make a difference.
c) For what reasons would the french solicitors need to contact the next of kin?

No jokes or stupid comments please.

Not sure if the France thing makes a difference but if a UK citizen dies without a will then it gets messy. The legally estate should pass in equal parts to the surviving children, but it has to be handled by an official administrator who will do formal searches to ensure that all surviving relatives have been identified and that all assets are then divided equally. It can take months or years to resolve.

Living with someone confers no legal rights in this case under UK law. They would have to have been named in a will to get anything. French law may be different.

No idea how French solicitors would work in this case, it depends on whether it falls under UK or French jusridiction.

I think you need to consult French and English solicitors to sort out what needs to happen.

[scooterscot]

Best talk to a FA - I was shocked and stunned when I realised that my spouse would be left in a not so pretty situation upon my passing. It's a grim subject to be sure but you're best getting in touch with a FA. I recommend:
http://www.hansonwealth.co.uk/

In my own situation I discovered that a will was not so important as ensuring the quality of life of those closest to me was maintained. I've achieved this through a variety of insurance products.

[Money Money Money]

Thanks everyone.

[NotAllThere]

France following the Napoleonic inheritance laws. That means that with a married couple, half the estate on the death of one goes to the children in equal parts, the other half goes to the spouse. Some countries with Napoleonic inheritance laws, allow for foreign nationals to draw up wills under the laws of their home country. However, with an unmarried couple, without a will, there will be no inheritance to the partner.