My partner and I have been together for 15 years and have two young children. I know that marriage backed up by a will is the best way to protect yourself in the event of the death of your partner.
The death of a family member has (again) left me realising that I am in a very precarious position. If we don't get married how do I go about protecting myself legally? Without marriage/wills I believe that our children inherit as my partner's next of kin.
1/ My partner has two houses. The first he owns outright the second is mortgaged. My name isn't on either of these properties. If I get my name put on both of the properties and my partner dies does this mean that I automatically become sole owner of the houses or would they have to be sold and inheritance tax paid?
2/ Should we consider some sort of power of attorney over each other in case one of us becomes ill. As I'm not legally next of kin I understand this has implications for being allowed into a hospital to see my partner and making any decisions about his medical treatment.
I am sure there are other things I should also be thinking about.
Thanks in advance.