DH left me NOTHING in his will – devastated and fuming

OP, take a look at this website. I confirms what others have said. Any will he made would be automatically void when he married you. Get legal advice asap. any solicitor will quickly confirm this.

www.netlawman.co.uk/ia/will-effect-marriage-divorce

Yes the marriage invalidated the will. If. I knew will was drawn up then the laws of intestacy come into play.

First of all marital property will severally be deemed to be shared so even if the house was in his name that is unlikely to mean you don't automatically have a claim to half of it anyway. Sane if you had divorced.

Joint savings would generally immediate be all yours.

Everything else would be ruled by intestacy which most likely will mean it all goes to you.

GDHT. That's right.

How old was your DH? Was his death expected? I suspect it’s more he made a will a long time ago, remarried had more children and sadly never got round to updating it.

The first thing is to get the will checked by a professional. We got married recently and went to update our wills only to find there was a clause that meant they weren't revoked on marriage. It's probable the will was revoked, but best to check before going any further

You definitely won't be left with nothing.
How awful for you to have to sort this now. Lots of people don't bother making preparations for after they die, though. This is so important to do, especially if you have children.

Like others have said his Will made prior to you marrying will be void. Essentially, his estate will be treated as if he died intestate and the process is very strict. You are his wife, so therefore everything will come to you. His children from his first marriage could kick up a stink, because they will be left with nothing. However, you could off your own back, make sure they receive some money, once you receive funds. You aren't legally obliged too though.

I would assume your DH knew you would get half, so knew he didn’t need to update his will.

You sound lovely.

How do his older dc get anything. In the UK ?

the spouse gets it all in the absence of a Will after marriage.If there was a Will that states extra shares for the older dc after the marriage, then sure. You might be thinking of a different jurisdiction like some Euro countries

Just a thought!
Is it at all possible that your husband DID make another will after you two married? He might have and not told you. I found this.
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/help
You can search for a deceased person's will, so hopefully it would tell you if there was a more recent will made? If there is, and it's worth checking, it might save you some stress and heartache.
Have you thoroughly searched the house, top to bottom, in case there is an updated will he made somewhere?

What a horrible situation for all of you, especially when you're grieving. I'm glad it looks like you are going to keep some security. I hope your stepchildren also get some peace after this, their dad should have looked after them and it's a shame it's been left to you. Don't let your stress cloud your judgement, it's your children's siblings and family ties are important.

That's awful.

You should do what your husband would have wanted.

Ok, as you're in England OP we at least know which legal regime will be applicable.

You definitely need to speak to a wills and probate solicitor asap. They'll be able to advise you whether the will has a clause saying it was made in contemplation of marriage or not.

Yes, if your dh was still alive he'd be paying towards bringing up your dc together to adulthood, so it's only right that he provides for them after his death too. I would hope that his adult, financially secure dc would understand that.

I'm a widowed parent too and it feels like a huge responsibility to be the only parent they have to provide for them. Especially as the days of kids leaving school at 16 and working and then marrying young are long gone.

@jackmd5

Please come back and let us know how you get on x

My husband's daughter was left in the mire because her partner of 16 yrs hadn't written a will. His ex tried claim half the house. Fortunately, the daughter was able to prove that she'd bought the house herself.

The ex wanted all of his pension benefits, but the court ruled in favour of the child that he had with the daughter. (The ex had never worked - was involved in various charitable endeavours, apparently.)

I'm very sorry for your loss. But also sad for DC of previous relationships in these situations. Many countries have a guaranteed part that goes to DC, I almost wish that was the case here in the UK too, would save a lot of these types of scenarios.

I often don't think it's the money - for his grown DC as they're financially OK as you say - but the feeling of having been left out. Just as you felt before you know about the will being invalid after marriage!!

Erm excuse me!!! I have lived through this with my mum, so please don't tell me it's rubbish!!

My mum's 2nd husband put his home in trust for his grown daughter from his first wife.

After seeking PROPER LEGAL ADVICE his DD got the home - even though my mum had paid half the bills etc.

She also got the life insurance he took ait after his wife died, because it was put in the trust.

My mum got what was in the bank and his pension, so please do NOT tell me I'm talking rubbish when I have fucking lived through it!

If his adult dc act as if they are sole beneficiaries and don't give a stuff about you and their siblings bear it in mind when you claim what's rightfully yours and your dc's....
They don't sound very nice...
So make sure you act accordingly... And keep the blooming lot....
Few token keepsakes and a drink at his wake...

If it does then it's down to the AdultDC who are comfortably off, not the OP who has been his wife and raised his younger children in their family home.

Obviously it would be only right that his older children would stand to inherit something and have some of his personal possessions.

Sorry but the husband was in the wrong, 15 years isn’t an oversight. He should have made provision for his older dc and his new family such as 50% to wife and 50% for older dc. With a stipulation that the wife can live in the house for life. He isn’t that young if he has adult dcs.