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Original poster

What happens in the real world when a partner is given a right to stay in a property after a death?

79 replies

Beamsss · 01/07/2026 12:34

This is often cited as a way to make sure DC get their inheritance whole partner does not lose their home, or is given time to find somewhere else to live, but I can't really see ir working on a practical level without causing a headache for all concerned.

What happems if the partner becomes to old/unwell to care for the place properly?

Doesn't it build resentment if e.g. children have to wait decades for their inheritance?

What happens if the partner has a new partner and children, and the place becomes their home?

I'm sure there are cold hard legal answers to all of that, but in the real world where people's lives are involved, aren't you just leaving a long term massive headache for everyone you love?

OP posts:
Tontostitis · 08/07/2026 20:52

In your widely hypothetical what if it would be even more important for her partner to stay in the property and look after the mythical primary school children then wouldn't it? Do behave

Nottinghillrose · 09/07/2026 08:45

downloadtoad · 01/07/2026 15:45

So my dad lives with his “loving partner” who is an absolutely narc (no she really is) because of her we’re now estranged. But anyway, he has no legal rights to the house despite paying thousands of pounds over the years in renovations. She has said she will do a will so he gets to stay in the house if she dies first and that none of her 4 kids could kick him out . So she won’t give him any kind of share of the property but she’ll happily let him spend all his inheritance on the place. And the chances she dies first are not likely as she’s about 15 years younger than him.

Why should she give your dad any legal rights to her property? He has the benefit of living there and also benefits from the renovations. I’m sorry you are estranged from him though.

Facescar77 · 09/07/2026 18:23

People need to protect their children more in blended families. My dad married a money grabbing (insert word) who brought no money to the relationship. They had mirror wills so all 5 children inherit the same share. Dad died first, she changed her will and we get nothing, only her two kids get to share my dad's money. The law needs to change!

Goingbonkers247 · 10/07/2026 17:52

Facescar77 · 09/07/2026 18:23

People need to protect their children more in blended families. My dad married a money grabbing (insert word) who brought no money to the relationship. They had mirror wills so all 5 children inherit the same share. Dad died first, she changed her will and we get nothing, only her two kids get to share my dad's money. The law needs to change!

My dad died when I was 14 and he had apparently changed his will a year earlier to remove myself and my siblings and our mother. we got nothing and his new wife and kids got everything. the will reader at the time said it wasn't fair but he was of sound mind when he made the decision and that was that.
I'm now in a relationship and we both own a portion of the house (not 50/50) and we both have 1 child from previous relationship and i had not thought of this. i am 17 years older than my OH. Think i need to consider getting a will.

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