Is a will enough?

[Runaround50]

Living with my long term partner in his house. My name is not on the deeds.

We both have wills which detail the beneficiaries of the estate and pension funds and assets.

We have two teens who will be taken care of financially from trust funds, so I'm thinking in terms of my own security.

Partner is significantly older than me and it is likely he will die before me.

Is a will sufficient? Or, do we need to enter a civil partnership for additional security and change the will accordingly, that's what I want to know really.

Will contact CAB for further advice anyway.

Thanks

Entering into a civil partnership will give you extra protection if you split - apart from anything else, it would give you a claim on the house. It may also reduce/remove any requirement to pay inheritance tax.

Thanks, that is what i thought re the civil partnership and additional security.

You should be able to cover everything you need in a will, to protect you in the event of his death, but marriage/civil partnership gives you rights if you split.

There are also significant inheritance tax advantages to being married, if that will be an issue for you.

Also he can change a will at any time without telling you, which may or may not be a concern for you, but various influences can be brought to bear as people get older.

How much will the estate be worth? (Very roughly) Will inheritance tax be an issue? Also, what about the risk of you partner needing money for care home fees?

I'd get married / civil partnered for the inheritance tax if nothing else.

How long have you been together and is it likely he'd put you on the deeds?