DH left me NOTHING in his will – devastated and fuming

His children can contest if they have then been left with nothing. Our solicitor advised writing everyone into the will with something-even if it’s only £50 because then it shows that you have considered them. Leaving direct descendants out completely gives them a crack in the door, so you might need to come to some agreement with maybe jewellery etc but clearly your home and savings/pensions will be safe.

I am sorry for your loss
Get proper legal advice but sounds like his DC will be disappointed.
If they don't behave like total twats about it then maybe you could consider giving them something (assuming you can afford to)

From the previous children's POV they could be rightly so furious if you then inherit everything and leave them with nothing.

If you do get it all make sure you stick to some of your husband wishes and share with the previous children. If you don't it'll be a huge slap in the face for them.

On the Co-Op Legal Services webpages, it states:

Under marriage laws in England and Wales, any pre-existing Will is revoked when you enter into a legally binding marriage contract. This means that if you die without making a new Will after you get married, the law will decide who should inherit from you, under inheritance laws called the Rules of Intestacy.

Under the Rules of Intestacy, if you are married with children and the Estate is under £322k then your spouse would receive everything. If you are married with children and the Estate is over £322k (say £400k, for example) then your spouse would receive £322k of this plus your personal belongings. The remaining £78k would then be split 50/50 between your spouse and your children; your spouse would receive 50% of this and your children would equally share the other 50%.

It's important to note that the Rules of Intestacy only recognise biological or adopted children. Step children and foster children are not acknowledged under these rules. If you have step or foster children, they can inherit only from you is if you make a Will, naming them as Beneficiaries.

You need to go and get legal advice.

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As said the will is not valid, which means he has been negligent in not properly providing for his children, he should have realized!
Now his children are at your mercy!

Only up to a certain amount then the rest is split 50/50 with any kids.

The intestacy flow chart on government sites is what the op needs.

Completely agree. You didn't need to include that they're financially well off. It makes you look grabby and bitter.

They are still his children and they've still lost their dad.

If no new will then he's died intestate.

So what happens next depends on what money is involved.

But you were married so the house wasn't his exclusively either

See a solicitor promptly, This could be convoluted

The question is whether he actually didn’t update it since marriage or whether he re-confirmed it after marriage but didn’t alter the terms.

Who is the executor, how do you know the terms of the will, why hasn’t this detail been highlighted?

Joint savings in joint accounts will automatically go to you too.

The remainder of the estate pass according to the rules of intestacy. Go to see a solicitor taking details of all assets and I whose names they are and they will be able to help you see what you will get and apply for Letters of Administration.

I'm glad you've had better news, but I'm mystified by how it can have taken you and his children several months to think about what was in the will. How have you been managing for money without sorting out your husband's estate?

Maybe that is why he never made another one as he knew you would inherit. But it is a bit unfortunate that the situation is reversed and he now hasn't made ANY provision for his first family. It was probably on his to-do list that he never got round to.

I understand that you say they are well off, but maybe you could put something into trust for their children (his grandchildren) when you come to write your will.

Assuming you are in England/Wales, Scotland is different but you will still be entitled to a share where there is no will. You didn't say where you are living?

Here is the England and Wales rule.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/who-can-inherit-if-there-is-no-will-the-rules-of-intestacy/

Unless this will was made in contemplation of marriage with you (ie before you married but with a specific clause to say that it applied after his marriage to you) it was invalidated on your marriage. If there is no other will and if you are in England or Wales the estate will be distributed in line with the intestacy laws.

https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

Yes, marriage invalidates the will.

You can make a will in expectation of marriage which remains valid. My brother in law did this when terminally ill and his marriage then did not invalidate the will but it had to be specifically stated.

Assuming this will was made without that provision it doesn't exist, your husband died without a will and you follow the procedure. See solicitors asap, they can explain and confirm all of this and then if his kids make an issue you will have them ready to help. I would strongly suggest considering what provision he would have offered them, family possessions etc should be passed on. Be generous. It pays dividends in the long run

This flowchart sets out the intestate rules for England and Wales and is easy to understand
https://the-probate-network.co.uk/articles/intestacy-rules-flowchart/

My understanding is also that a marriage overrides a previous Will.
My friend was on the other side of this - her dad married again quickly after her mother’s death. Then he died unexpectedly a few years later so all their mothers assets went to the new wife…

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/103393#:~:text=Pre%2Dexisting%20wills&text=Ie%20if%20a%20person%20already,once%20the%20marriage%20takes%20place.

I don't know your situation, but a lot us don't get around to wills or updating them, especially when we're relatively young - it's that difficult subject that often gets pushed back... I'm sure the anger will pass with a little bit of time, and I hope in the meanwhile everything goes your way. Others have provided a lot of optimism to your situation. Wishing you all the best.

If it's the children they may have no idea marriage invalidates a will, I don't think that's common knowledge I'd you've had it explained to you. A large proportion of the population don't even make a will

Prime example here that the OP was unaware

It wouldn’t be everything necessarily - the rules of intestacy would apply - but the will would be invalid unless specifically made in contemplation of marriage.

This link explains it quite well

www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/media-centre/articles-may-aug-2018/how-does-marriage-affect-your-will/