Putting DH's name on household bills

[User181019]

I know it sounds morbid, but I'm creating a When I Die doc for my DH in case of my demise. He is a really disorganized person and not great at admin etc and I'd like to make life simpler for him so that he can focus his energies on being there for our two young kids.

The house we live in was bought by me and is in my name only. I pay almost all the bills as I'm the breadwinner. He contributes a small amount to expenses - mainly related to the children - which is reasonable bearing in mind his income. Not sure if this info is relevant.

Currently, all the bills are in my name. I know that if i die, it's going to be super painful getting all the names transferred in his name. So I am considering naming him as a joint account holder on the gas, electricity, water etc. We aren't married. If I do this, do you think I risk granting him equity in the house whilst I'm still alive? I don't know if he would have this anyway as he's now contributing towards some of our household expenses. Mortgage is paid by me.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I think an appointment with a solicitor would be an excellent investment in order to get the correct answers to your questions.

I suggest you get a will drawn up and teach teach him to be more capable.

If he’s named jointly on the household bills that doesn’t mean he is any claim to your property. If (god forbid) you passed away he would need to get probate in order to be able to do anything with the property. He’d then have the option to sell or take on the mortgage himself (which if he has low income the bank probably wouldn’t allow). If you made him joint on the mortgage then if you passed away then it would be left to him to deal with. If you don’t have life insurance, get it!! Hopefully you’ll never need to claim but it’s a good thing to have just in case. But if your looking at getting things prepared in case the worst does happen I agree that speaking with a solicitor will help. They will be able to cover everything including things you might not.

Not married but you refer to him as DH?

I wouldn't. Chances are you are more likely to break up than die.
If you died, the utilities will be closed in your name and can be reopened in his. They will likely need copies of the death certificate, I assume.
As for the house, do endowment policies still exist that the house will be paid off in the event of your death?
Agree re solicitor to make plans in the event of your death.

I assume he is the father of your children? What happens if you die? Do the children inherit and he get to stay in the house? Does he inherit? What happens if he remarries? What is his new partner doesn’t get on with your children? What if he leaves the house to his new wife? Have you got a power of attorney over your financial and health affairs? You may have all these sorted out But just in case...

OP, you need to draw up a very clearly drafted Will. If your partner is disorganised, nominate two people that you trust as executors.