Who pays the bills following bereavement?

[Itsnotthatgrimupnorth]

Following a bereavement my family home is solely occupied by my late father's partner. The house has been left to me in the will and there has been no pressure for the partner to move out.

The issue I need advice with is the bills. The partner seems to assume that because it's my house I pay the bills. My view is the partner is the person living there so the bills are their responsibility.

Can anyone suggest what my next steps are? I want to keep the relationship civil until the estate is settled but I feel their expectations are unreasonable.

Thank you

Excellent advice

Do they have a right to continue to live there? If so they should pay the utility bills, otherwise the estate/you once vacant.

In fact you might be creating problems if you don’t. Have you thought of getting legal advice?

A friend's dad died, left her his house, he'd married the lady he lived with and my friend couldn't get her out of the house. In the end she had to pay her a considerable sum to get her to move..I would tell her I'm sorry I can't afford to pay your bills, I have my own to pay and ask her what she's thinking she'll do in the future. Are you hoping to sell the house? Or make her a tenant and get a proper contract. I would stay on her good side without paying any bills than insurance and get a legal contract between you asap. Good luck.