Proposed law regarding cohabitees and intestacy.

[marantha]

AIBU in thinking that the proposal put forward by the Law Commission to make a cohabitee AUTOMATIC next-of-kin* in the event of their partner dying intestate is one step too far and an invasion of people's right to a private life?

• I stress that this is NOT an attack on cohabitees AND that I believe that people should be allowed to leave what they want to whoever they please-cohabitee or not- PROVIDED THEY EXPLICITLY STATE IT IN WRITING.

FIBILOU,
You are correct: there is no clear definition of what cohabitation is.
I'm afraid that a lot of people here are looking at it (no surprises as this is "Mumsnet" after all) from the point of view of parents, they are unwilling to accept that not all cohabitees regard themselves as long-term partners married in everything but name, they fail to see that a lot of cohabitees have absolutely no desire to be tied to one another legally.
I can see their viewpoint, but I do wish that they were a little less blinkered and naive and realise that:
a, Not all cohabitees are like them so it is unjust to have a blanket law that ties them ALL legally.
b, The law should not bend over backwards to help them- if they wish to be seen "as married" or as good as, it's up to them to do something about it.
I honestly do not -for the life of me- why couples who wish to be "as married" just don't tie the knot anyway. It is illogical of them not to do so.
Marriage is a tried and tested legal tool that is specifically designed for people who wish to live together for life.