To say getting married to protect your finance is a joke

Gosh, what crazy timing. I can totally see why it rankles so much, it would for anyone.

I really hope he's not planning on leaving everything to this woman he's only been with for 7 months. If he's not planning on leaving the bulk of his assets to his DD, that really is awful. From what I understand, you don't actually know what he's planning to will to who?

Has he said he is actually leaving 100% of his assets to his new lady? As he may just want to leave it all /most to his daughter rather than you. Which makes sense as a soon to be divorced man.

severing the house ownership does not mean he has left it all to the other lady.

That means you're still his wife,you have a better chance of contesting it. Start researching good solicitors and make sure they specialise in this situation. You'll be alright but the sooner you act the better the outcome

Hopefully you got some good advice but your solicitor will tell you how you can/should challenge the will to ensure that you are properly provided for as his wife under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

She needs to talk to a solicitor very quickly and see what if anything can be done.

But yes marriage is not always a good idea and women with assets should be very wary and maybe take legal advice - and it's why young woman are often advised to get married as it offeres protection if kids are on cards as they do tend to bar the brunt of career stalling.

I do think she need legal advice see what can be done about any joint money or pensions, if she has to wait for probate and if OW can stay in house while that's happening and if her DD is classes as dependent and if she can context or claim from estate if she is not in will. Basically advise on waht her options are and how she can look out for herself and her DD as much as possible.

Do try and get some legal advice with someone with experience in this area as PP suggested

Yeah, right - also when you were genuinely seeing pigs flying past...

It's also worth remembering that the contents of any joint accounts you have with him become yours upon his death but either party can usually withdraw it at any time. Is there a way of ensuring the OW doesn't have access via his bank cards?

I suspect this poster has read all the OP's posts but, you know, has a different view to you and isn't an outright cunt

Op owned the house and it was completely paid off before she married him. And then she had the bright idea to put him on it as a joint tenant

Enlightened self interest? Bitterness and hatred can be corrosive and if you can't move on from that OP will be the loser.

He's cheated on her, left her, and is attempting to give what is morally (and perhaps legally) hers to his mistress.

He only cared about his lust and his money. OP is right to try to ensure she and her daughter have what they rightfully should.

Well half of the house is still yours and you are still his wife so half the marital property should be yours regardless, he can only leave his own money and property in his will. You can check the ownership of the house on the land registry website. If this is very recent you may be able to challenge the will as well, talk to a solicitor.

I don't think he can sell the house unless you agree as he only owns half of it (I assume you were 50:50), if he leaves his half to someone else you would still have to agree to a sale, check the situation with your lawyer.

Sadly, marriage only really benefits the party with no or fewer assets. That's why women are often more keen on getting married - it's them who often takes the career and salary hit after having children. In reality, marriage often does not benefit a woman with assets of her own.

Why would she? Her husband will either have taken out a prepaid funeral plan or the funeral costs will come out of the estate, if his new partner does not prepay in advance of funeral costs coming out of the estate

@bebanjo
I have some experience with a similar scenario. Please choose a solicitor with experience in this field, we didn't get far with one but then had some success with another. Not exactly the same family set up but quite a few similarities.
If you're still down as NOK can you request his medical records? This might give a clue to his state of mind?
Happy to chat if you want to dm me xx

Cases where a would be beneficiary seeks to challenge a will for lack of testamentary capacity have an incredibly low success rate. Which rate becomes even lower when the will is drafted by a half way competent solicitor (whose file note or check list will confirm the person making the will had testamentary capacity)

In England & Wales we have testamentary freedom to leave our stuff to whoever he want. Some countries have law which overrides an individual's freedom in this regard but not England & Wales

Doesn't have to be 'recorded post' - which term in any case hasn't been in use since 2011 🤷‍♀️

Severing a joint tenancy does not take away anyone's ownership rights or remove them from the property deeds. It only changes how you own the property together.

It can be done without your consent - but can't take away your asset.

So you should still own half the house - so yes he can leave rest to his new DP but you should still own half. I'd see a solitor as soon as possible and make sure you get anything else you think you are entitled to.

💯

Not sure if this has been said upthread but you and your daughter can make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if you are not adequately provided for on his death under his will. As you are still married you have a broader claim. You only have 6 months to do this from grant of probate so line up a contentious probate solicitor now. Ensure they are experienced with contentious probate litigation not just simple wills.

As others have said ensure any workplaces and pension administrators are informed about you and that you are still married and your daughter is a dependent as the trustees may have discretion even if he has nominated someone else.

Dont rush this divorce through, you have a better chance to contest all of it still married to him. What an absolute bastard. I dont suppose when you married him you had something drawn up to protect your house? Seek legal advice as soon as you can

The pension is not part of the estate, as long as he dies before the end of this tax year. That is changing next year to try and stop pensions being used for inheritance tax avoidance. As his wife you are automatically assumed to be financially dependent, so in the scope for consideration. Your daughter is under 23 and has disabilities, so also stands a good chance. Contact the provider once he passes and submit a claim. The trustees will take the expression of wish and will into account, but they are not binding.

No, he can't. Either the prognosis is wrong and he lives long enough to finalise the divorce, in which case his pension (like OPs) is one of the assets of the marriage and available for splitting. Or he doesn't, in which case OP as spouse is going to be in a good position to benefit even if he's been organised enough to make an expression of wishes for his new partner. Which he may not have done. But either way those aren't binding on the trustees.