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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed I’m not in partners will????

923 replies

YourRealBiscuit · 03/11/2024 08:23

Backstory
we’ve been together almost 14 years. We’ve got children. Not married. His house we have lived in. He’s 60 I’m 50.

Am I being unreasonable that I’m annoyed now he’s doing his will his intention is to leave everything to the kids?
We have a decade age gap and I can’t help wondering what would happen to me of he died before me?
he sees it as his stuff so he leaves to who he wants to but I think it’s a huge red flag coupled with the fact obviously he’s not popped the question too

feels to me like he doesn’t really see us as an US?

what do you think?

OP posts:
YourRealBiscuit · 03/11/2024 14:30

Thehouseofmarvels · 03/11/2024 13:12

@YourRealBiscuit Are there any signs of an affair? He has a lot of money so could possibly attract a much younger woman who is looking for a nice lifestyle.

Not really tbh but let’s face it, not everyone knows about these things so you can never say never!

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 03/11/2024 14:30

There’s definitely something more going on here. I’d clam up don’t poke the bear and end up having the conversation too early. but start getting your own affairs in order.

if he is planning on ending things which may be a jump but it’s weird he’s updating the will with a view to remove you. You need time. More time to save as much as you possibly can.

coffeesaveslives · 03/11/2024 14:31

But also, the purpose of marriage needs to be publicised. Maybe in maternity wards etc. so many women getting screwed over.

It's way too late by then.

HaveSomeIntrospect · 03/11/2024 14:31

I hope the conversation goes well

MoralOrLegal · 03/11/2024 14:32

An aside; if you have DC, explain this sort of thing to them. I teach PSHE in a school and, although it's not on the lesson plans, when we discuss marriage I am always 100% sure to tell the teen students that marriage is a shortcut to a lot of legal rights. It's absolutely fine to be unmarried, but if you want the same legal protections you'll need to set up various Powers of Attorney, Wills, etc.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 03/11/2024 14:34

coffeesaveslives · 03/11/2024 14:31

But also, the purpose of marriage needs to be publicised. Maybe in maternity wards etc. so many women getting screwed over.

It's way too late by then.

Yes, it needs to be taught in schools.

Don't have kids until you are married.

Cherrysoup · 03/11/2024 14:37

So he’s changing his will to remove you when previously you were on there? Very odd. Why is he leaving it so you aren’t provided for? Statistically, men die before their partners, your son may be of an age when his dad dies that he wants the house. As other pp said, save as much as you can, buy yourself somewhere and rent it out til you need it. What a weird way of doing things he has.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 03/11/2024 14:37

MoralOrLegal · 03/11/2024 14:32

An aside; if you have DC, explain this sort of thing to them. I teach PSHE in a school and, although it's not on the lesson plans, when we discuss marriage I am always 100% sure to tell the teen students that marriage is a shortcut to a lot of legal rights. It's absolutely fine to be unmarried, but if you want the same legal protections you'll need to set up various Powers of Attorney, Wills, etc.

Just tell them to read MN and all the sad stories by the women who have been shafted bc they aren't married.

I think that you should say that it is ok for men to be unmarried but not women as they are alwasy left holding the baby.

coffeesaveslives · 03/11/2024 14:38

IMustDoMoreExercise · 03/11/2024 14:34

Yes, it needs to be taught in schools.

Don't have kids until you are married.

Especially if you're the lower earner, want to be a stay at home parent or don't have any independent wealth to support yourself in the event of a break-up.

It's scary how so many women are still oblivious to how much marriage can protect them in the future.

Oblomov24 · 03/11/2024 14:38

I wonder what his response will be, when op asks him, to changing his will, op being on and now being taken off.

GranPepper · 03/11/2024 14:39

YourRealBiscuit · 03/11/2024 08:23

Backstory
we’ve been together almost 14 years. We’ve got children. Not married. His house we have lived in. He’s 60 I’m 50.

Am I being unreasonable that I’m annoyed now he’s doing his will his intention is to leave everything to the kids?
We have a decade age gap and I can’t help wondering what would happen to me of he died before me?
he sees it as his stuff so he leaves to who he wants to but I think it’s a huge red flag coupled with the fact obviously he’s not popped the question too

feels to me like he doesn’t really see us as an US?

what do you think?

So you are living in a home he owns solely but you have children together. What age are the children? Where do you live because the laws in, say E&W, are different from Scotland? How do you know what's in his Will? Apart from this, how do you feel your relationship is? Do either of you have the prospect of a generous pension? What's your thoughts on why he's done this? These are the initial questions I would ask someone as gently as I could if they asked my thoughts.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 03/11/2024 14:39

coffeesaveslives · 03/11/2024 14:38

Especially if you're the lower earner, want to be a stay at home parent or don't have any independent wealth to support yourself in the event of a break-up.

It's scary how so many women are still oblivious to how much marriage can protect them in the future.

Yes good point. If you are the higher earner than it is probably not a good idea to get married.

YourRealBiscuit · 03/11/2024 14:40

Flux1 · 03/11/2024 13:58

Wishing you the best in your discussions today with your DH. I hope you can get to the bottom of what's going on and what his intentions / expectations are. I'm surprised he even told you he was amending his will, if his intention was to remove you.

His dad is going to sort his out too, which is why it came up.
I then looked and the appt had been made for earlier in the week then moved so I hadn’t been told about it before.

OP posts:
aloris · 03/11/2024 14:40

OP, you keep saying that when you talk about your own financial needs, you are "made to feel" like a gold-digger. I think you should break that down a bit. First of all, you don't have to feel the way someone else wants you to feel. When you say that you have been "made to feel" a certain way, what you really mean is that the other person is controlling the narrative within the relationship, either because of a dominant and stubborn personality or because of their material power over you.

You can speak up in opposition to this narrative, with your own, equally stubborn narrative. The thing is, when you lay out the truth in your mind, it shows up a flaw that is difficult to get past. The correct narrative here is that your partner has been using you as a low-cost nanny, bangmaid, housekeeper, for many years, without giving you the requisite respect or care.

And of course, if you refuse to give in to your partner's selfish and user-ish narrative about you being a gold-digger if you speak up for being treated FAIRLY, then it may push things to the point of him kicking you out, virtually penniless.

I see that there are many here on the thread complaining that you didn't "contribute 50%" so you were just leeching off of him. However, think about just the nanny aspect. Does a nanny get nothing but room and board? No. A nanny gets enough to rent, and even buy, her own home, her own food, her own clothing, her own vacations, AND still has enough left over to save for her future pension etc. And a nanny isn't also a housekeeper etcetera. You were BOTH of those things so you should have "earned" more than a nanny, and been compensated with enough to save for YOUR future.

But you weren't. Instead, your partner has treated you as if you are something to be used and thrown out when he's done with you, and as if you are a "gold digger" if you speak up to state your true worth as a person and as a partner. Your partner has completely been taking advantage of you financially.

You keep saying you don't want to leave because, in effect, you don't want the kids to be affected. The kids are already affected. Your son and daughter are both being taught that a mother deserves to be treated poorly. What sort of model is this for how they pick or treat a partner of their own? You are being treated worse than a dog or cat. Do you want your daughter to expect that future for herself, to pick a man who treats her as you have been treated?

And how are they going to feel if your partner passes away and they see you left homeless and penniless after all that loyalty to your partner? They will have to choose between giving up their own inheritance and seeing you in poverty. They'll pick themselves and feel horribly guilty. Or they'll pick you and feel resentful that they had to give up their inheritance for you.

I feel for you and I can't tell you what to do, because your partner has well and truly backed you into a corner from which it's difficult to escape. But your partner has shown he's willing to ensure the kids are taken care of. You need to take care of YOU.

Lentilweaver · 03/11/2024 14:43

IMustDoMoreExercise · 03/11/2024 14:34

Yes, it needs to be taught in schools.

Don't have kids until you are married.

Totally agree. Too many womwn hink it is just a piece of paper. And ofc men tell them that.

GranPepper · 03/11/2024 14:45

user1492757084 · 03/11/2024 08:33

Discuss how you will remain living in the house if he should die. Set aside a savings account for yourself and make sure your super is in order.

It makes sense to leave most things to the next generation.
I agree with your husband in this though you need to discuss your home.

Also do a Will for yourself and, apart from allocating him being allowed to live in your side of the house for a time, do not leave anything to him.

"Your super" - are you UK based?

kittykatsupreme · 03/11/2024 14:48

IMustDoMoreExercise · Today 14:34
Yes, it needs to be taught in schools.
Don't have kids until you are married.

100% this.

Why do women do this? Even if you aren't fussed yourself, you must realise it is better for the children for stability and future finances.

If a man is prepared to create a whole person with you, he should be prepared to marry you.

houseselling101 · 03/11/2024 14:48

Just ask him why he has changed it to remove you?

Aside from the issue that you were on it and now not - if he owned the house before - seems like you met in his late 40s? - And have paid no mortgage contribution I don't see the issue in willing it to the children. I would have done the same.

Maybe he thinks since you are ten years younger you have a greater chance of meeting someone else - marrying and then willing the house to your new partner. Then the kids would get nothing. It happens all the time. He is protecting your children this way as brutal as it appears to you

Yalta · 03/11/2024 14:54

YourRealBiscuit · 03/11/2024 08:32

He poo poos it and says “that’s not going to happen” so I have brought it up, he just dismisses it off hand.

Why does he think it isn’t going to happen?

He hasn’t made any provision that it won’t happen

lizzyBennet08 · 03/11/2024 14:57

Honestly this was reckless behaviour by you. It sounds like he was always clear that be didn't intend to marry you and in his defence he never asked for any contribution towards rent etc .
Don't mind about the will. In the morning he could say he wants you out and you would have to leave and all you would be entitled to maintenance. Absolutely start working on your career and your savings asap.

WearyAuldWumman · 03/11/2024 14:59

Applesandcream · 03/11/2024 08:39

See a solicitor as you can set up a lifetime trust so you can live in the house until you die but not legally own it. This is solves the problem if he's worried about you remarrying.

Are you going to benefit from his pension?

Edited

Yup. My husband's best pal moved in with DH's ex. (It's a long story. The pal was not the ex's affair partner.)

He insisted on getting some kind of legal paper signed to say that he could live in the house if she died (given that she's left everything to her kids).

Mind you, after he became terminally ill, she moved him into respite "for a fortnight" and then refused to have him back. The poor soul died at the end of the fortnight in any case.

GranPepper · 03/11/2024 15:00

DinosaurMunch · 03/11/2024 08:57

Getting married won't help though. He could still will everything to the kids? Or is there a rule that you can't disinherit your spouse?

Yes, if you live in Scotland is the short answer

WearyAuldWumman · 03/11/2024 15:05

Theeyeballsinthesky · 03/11/2024 08:53

Fuck me what a prince he sounds!! 😳 I have no idea how you managed to get yourself into this situation OP but whatever

for all legal intents and purposes you are a single woman. You need to talk to a solicitor about what if any options you have and you need to start saving like mad to get your own house away from him

and the next time someone starts the weekly “what’s the point in marriage?” thread I’ll point them to this one

A relative through marriage was left with difficulties because she and her partner of around 20 years hadn't married. (They intended to, but waited too long.)

They had one child. The partner hadn't made a will. When he died, his ex tried to claim all of his pension plus half the relative's house. (The house belonged to the relative, not her partner. She had to prove that she had bought it outright herself.)

Marriage genuinely does afford a layer of protection.

MyNeedyKoala · 03/11/2024 15:07

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Wellwellwellys · 03/11/2024 15:08

OP, this sounds very precarious for you. I imagine that his father making his will has prompted this and maybe made him rethink how much of that potential inheritance would go to you if he were married to you. Or if his property were left to you (he may wish to purchase a new one or similar). Maybe his father made it a prerequisite to him being left an inheritance.

Either way, it is good it has come up now so you can try to make provisions for yourself. I would have an open conversation with him. Explain how upsetting and unsettling this is and maybe ask the reasons for the update to remove you. You need to know before Tuesday.

Based on the response you will need to evaluate your future. Set up an appointment with a solicitor to discuss your options. Good luck, it can’t be easy for you right now.