What would you do?

[RuthW]

I've name changed for this post.

I'm 52. I've been with my partner 7 years. I have been divorced many years. We live in our own houses, 5 mins apart. That suits us. We have no plans to move in together. I work full time. He is 60 and is now retired but hasn't worked for about 15 years due to poor mental heath.

He has a very good pension. I have a adequate pension but I will never be rich. I have one adult child. He has three estranged children and three grandchildren. It is the children's choice they don't see him.

My dilemma is that a I am highly likely to outlive him. I'm younger and heathy. He's older, male and high bp etc, on lots of meds. If we were married or civil partners I would receive a good part of his pension if he died. At present, I will get nothing.

Should we enter into a civil partnership? We would continue living apart.

The OP doesn't want to get married,she wants a civil partnership so that she has access to his pension. Love didn't get a mention so,presumably,it's not a factor. If both parties agree then I'm not even sure why she's asking. It's legal so what's the problem?

It's legal.

She says he wants to marry. Civil partnership etc.

If he says do this for my pension then well ok.

If he's doing it for love then different.

I'm interested in whether OP is up for being his carer.

I've known couples live separate but near. That's a perfectly fine choice.

I don't see a problem if you both want to. Marriage isn't about being young and madly in love and having a party in a white dress, it is about the legal aspects (as everyone is always so keen to mention on threads where OP isnt getting married).

And as you have been together 7 years and plan to stay together, it's a genuine relationship so a marriage/CP suits. People far less commited marry every day.

My only concern is the unlikely but possible scenario that you die first. Would your daughter be able to get your assets in that case?