Someone I know has an elderly mother and a stepfather who are married but separated for decades. I explained to this person that if their mother died her husband who is the father of their siblings, still could inherit despite the separation. I explained that their mothers suggestion that they and their siblings could divide her assets equally amongst themselves when she died was not legally watertight. They told their mother this and she said she'd write a will. There is also the possibility of this woman receiving an inheritance in the future ( think childless siblings). I just had a nasty thought that I'd given bad advice as I'd imagine legally speaking everything she has is automatically marriage assets and half her husband's? Can you write a will leaving nothing to a husband ? The wife still lives in the marital home. It was bought early eighties from the council (right to buy) with a with a massive discount for a pittance. Largish family home in London area so has increased exponentially in value. Both spouses are legal owners of the house but the husband barely contributed then did a runner decades ago so she brought up the kids alone. He left her with the house so I'm guessing she thought what was the point in going through the horrific stress of divorcing an abuser whilst struggling with several small children. I dont know why did did not ever come after the house but maybe he had other assets that made a divorce unattractive.