DH left me NOTHING in his will – devastated and fuming

No, I don’t have a will stupid, I know. This whole mess has made me realise I need to sort one ASAP.

I'm sorry for your loss, but if you have no will it is rather unfair to berate your late husand for not having one.

I really felt for you when you were going to have nothing .
Now with advice you may get it all and be ok and the older kids are now to get nothing ? I also find that shocking .
Why would you not make sure they got a decent share they are his kids after all.

Get legal advice ASAP! I don't understand why you haven't. Surely probate has started?

Have his children enquired about the estate at all?

Was the house from his first marriage? Did the older kids grow up there?

You need to read the rules on distribution of an estate where the person died intestate. Because you are wrong. In England and Wales, with an estate this value, all of the biological and adopted children of the deceased will get something.

I feel sick... I can’t believe he’s done this. I thought we had a happy marriage. Just looking at his face in old photos makes me want to scream... I feel so betrayed.

At least now @jackmd5 you know you needn't feel this, as it was likely more an oversight that he didn't write a new will after your wedding (or did but failed to let you know) or that he was aware that marrying you rendered the existing will null and void and you would still be inheriting his estate, but didn't mention it.

Grief is awful but it's so much worse if you feel your loved one betrayed you or didn't care, at least now you know that wasn't the case.

@arcticpandas
Oh rereading it I see you said the same thing

Deleted because I don't actually know what I'm talking about :D

@arcticpandas

But he hasn't put you in any situation OP! He married you and by doing so he protected you so stop being angry against the poor man and remember him as the good man I hope he was. You are protected as other posters have explained to you. So are your children and normally his children too; they will share 50% of the money left after the 320 k have gone to you. So let's say he leaves 620 k. 320 goes to you. Then you get 150 k (50% of 300) and his 2 children and your 2 split the 150 k that rests.
Not in the UK
Typically ALL marital assets will be deemed as 50% belonging to the spouse.
Of the remaining 50% £320k goes to the spouse and what is left of the estate after the 50% and first £320k is then split evenly between all dc.
So in reality the vast majority of the estate will end up with the OP

Maybe he did know that the old will was invalidated by the marriage?

They should have been working on estate planning together. Why people leave this off is beyond me. Of course no one likes to think about dying and we're all busy, but this is crucial for every household.

Including single people. I want my money going to elephant rescue and other charities, not some long-lost cousin who might happen to be my next of kin even if they wouldn't recognize me in the street!

Well this is why you should always always maintain independence. Said by a fellow widow whose husband didnt even get himself life insurance. Thankfully I’ve always been financially independent.

See a solicitor, OP.

You need legal advice.

Don't worry about alienating the adult children.

I agree, when you inherit from a parent it's important to pass on a share to the children when you pass, if there are funds left after your own needs have been covered.

Often it's less about the money and more seen as a representation of love. If the children don't get something at some point they may feel that their parent didn't care for them.

If you can afford to give something earlier that would be kind.

Hope you get a solicitors appointment asap.

Different thing happened to dn. Sil died and hadn't changed her will so her dh got everything. All her properties everything. Dn was devastated. He wasn't even a great dh.

There is a guarantee in Scotland - 1/3 of the moveable estate is shared amongst the children, even if they're not in the will.

In England, if the estate is over a certain amount, the children do still inherit some of the excess.

This is not correct. Did you actually read any of the links posted on here about what happens with an inheritance when someone dies intestate ?

You don't have to "make things fair" any time soon. See a solicitor, find out where you stand, hopefully you will inherit everything and can work with a financial advisor (a fiduciary, not a salesperson masquerading as an advisor) to secure your future. Then, you can decide about gifts to his adult children, if you feel moved to make any gifts.

Don't try to divvy it all up now. You are under stress and may make hasty decisions.

Why wasn't t your name on the deeds of the house!? I hope this thread is an eyeopener to others that no matter what age you are, death can strike, and not having properly deeded property AND wills/trusts in place can really screw people over.