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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ken Dodd marriage

149 replies

BringMeTea · 12/03/2018 22:39

To be delighted he married his partner of 40 years 3 days before he died? I have known of several cases where unmarried long term partners end up with nothing and the government take the lot. Given his historical very public tax evasion case (which he won afaik) it must have put his mind at rest to know his partner would inherit.

OP posts:
Liverbird77 · 12/03/2018 22:41

I am made up they did it. Good for them.

retirednow · 12/03/2018 22:47

Its a lovely story, that's why its so important people leave a Will stating who is to inherit your property and money.

Butterymuffin · 12/03/2018 22:51

Don't see why they didn't do it earlier tbh. Why wait?

Fortybingowings · 12/03/2018 22:52

He’s avoided her having a massive inheritance tax bill by getting married. Good tax planning advice!

retirednow · 12/03/2018 22:53

Ive known several people get married shortly before,they die, its a committment and something many people find peace with.

Original poster
BringMeTea · 12/03/2018 22:54

Exactly. I kind of want to highlight it as a public service announcement too. My friend’s mum married her step dad fairly recently after 31 years together. He died less than 2 years later. He had raised my friend and her 2 sisters and his own dd. He had 2 sons who were raised by their mother. He was estranged from the sons. I know not why but they were criminal wasters as adults. These sons did not attend the funeral. They did however try to claim an inheritance. Had they not married they would have succeeded. Get your wills in order people.

OP posts:
GrooovyLass · 12/03/2018 22:58

I've promised DP I'll marry him on his deathbed and made him promise he'll marry me on mine. I don't want to get married but I don't want to die a spinster either!

Original poster
BringMeTea · 12/03/2018 23:01

Well GrooovyLass that’s another angle too. Grin

OP posts:
MichaelBendfaster · 12/03/2018 23:07

DP and I have no desire to get married, for various reasons. It galls me that only a marriage is considered enough of a relationship for a tax break.

I want civil partnerships for straight couples. Or just to be able to write a will knowing that DP would get the sweet FA everything I own, and vice versa, by dint of us having been together over 20 years.

Anyway, RIP Ken. One of the last living vestiges of great British variety entertainment. Possibly the last one, actually.

Fruitbat1980 · 12/03/2018 23:13

Friend of my parents been with his partner 20 years, found out he had cancer (treatable) went to solicitor, said how does he make sure she’s looked after, he advised to get married ASAP. They did. He 2 weeks later, he does 3 weeks later. Awful. But he went knowing she would be ok.

wildduckhunt · 12/03/2018 23:14

It's almost as if common law husbands and wives aren't a real legal thing.

Bluelady · 12/03/2018 23:15

They're not.

Fruitbat1980 · 12/03/2018 23:15

Lordy - spelling disaster. They got married 2 weeks later he does 3 weeks after that. Unexpected complication. Awful.

CotswoldStrife · 12/03/2018 23:15

It also meant that his partner could use the title of Lady - I wonder why he didn't do it when he got his honour? IIRC Terry Wogan obtained dual nationality so he and his wife could use his title.

RIP Ken. Lots of his quotes coming out now, but I liked the tweet about his funeral going on for days from another comedian Grin His shows were known for being lengthy!

wildduckhunt · 12/03/2018 23:15

I know...

Fruitbat1980 · 12/03/2018 23:16

*dies on the upside at least it’s not a word I type often.
RIP ken Dodd.

Alwayscheerful · 12/03/2018 23:16

I would imagine the decision was based on inheritance tax, his whole estate will pass to his wife free of tax

MargotLovedTom1 · 12/03/2018 23:17

Michael you could just write a will bequeathing everything to your partner, couldn't you? Confused

Original poster
BringMeTea · 12/03/2018 23:18

Yes Widduck let’s keep getting that out there. Don’t let HMG or anyone other than who you choose get their hands on your hard earned mullah.
Plus, I am fond of Ken as he was clearly not a Yew Yree abuser. End of an era kind of person.

OP posts:
MargotLovedTom1 · 12/03/2018 23:18

"Can" rather than could.

Bluelady · 12/03/2018 23:19

Spouses don't pay inheritance tax, non spouses do.

Original poster
BringMeTea · 12/03/2018 23:22

Oh Fruitbat my phone keeps doing that to me. We all get you! And yes, spouses won’t get hit for more tax? Again, given his personal experiences that will have meant so much before he died.

OP posts:
MichaelBendfaster · 12/03/2018 23:22

Margot, yes, but much of it would be taken for inheritance tax.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 12/03/2018 23:25

I’ve only just heard he died, very sad for his family & friends and I feel a great sadness that pretty much all of his generation of entertainers have gone now. I hope they’re having a blast, wherever they may be!

I’m glad they got married, I’m sure they had their reasons for not doing it sooner.

RIP Ken Dodd & The Diddymen

BackforGood · 12/03/2018 23:25

I've promised DP I'll marry him on his deathbed and made him promise he'll marry me on mine. I don't want to get married but I don't want to die a spinster either!

Don't know how tongue in cheek that was (difficult to tell in type without seeing / hearing you say it), but you do realise that we don't all get 'notice' we are going to die, don't you ? Seems an odd philosphy to have (not just you Grin - Kenn Dodd and his partner as well).