Anyone been separated from terminally ill spouse?

[Earlgrey19]

I’m looking for help specifically around inheritance and probate in the scenario that you are separated (not divorced) from terminally ill spouse, with children. I am going to really struggle to make ends meet for me and the kids on my income. Meeting a probate lawyer today to find out more about what, if anything, I’ll be entitled to as surviving spouse. My husband hadn’t yet made a will — he’s in the process of going so, and I don’t know what it will contain, but he has said previously that he’ll leave all of his estate to the children in trust (ages 6 & 4 currently).

If anyone has any insights, or things to look out for, or questions to ask the solicitor, I’d be really grateful.

His will is the starting point.

Does he have a pension or life insurance and if so who is the named beneficiary?

Depending on the terms of the trust, you may be able to use the money from it to support your children, which would include housing contribution, and other costs, I believe, so that is worth checking.

I was separated but not divorced when first husband died. He left the bulk of his estate in trust to the children, but as a trustee I was able to use this money for costs associated with raising them.