What could new rights for unmarried couples mean for your money?
Summary
New rules are being considered in England and Wales to give unmarried couples more legal rights around money and inheritance. Currently, if one partner dies without a will, the other may get little or nothing, but the proposed changes would allow for some inheritance and payments after a breakup.Key Facts
- Amelia lost her fiance suddenly and, because they were not married and he had no will, his parents inherited his assets.
- Amelia spent nearly £10,000 on legal advice and could not recover all the money and items she shared with her fiance.
- Many people wrongly believe that unmarried couples have the same legal rights as married couples, but in England and Wales, they do not.
- The Ministry of Justice has started a 10-week consult to consider changing the law for unmarried couples.
- Proposed changes would allow a surviving partner to inherit assets and receive payments after a breakup in certain situations.
- Countries like Sweden and Australia already have similar laws protecting unmarried couples.
- Some groups support the changes to protect those widowed or in abusive relationships; others question the need since marriage and civil partnerships already offer legal protection.
- Currently, unmarried partners can try to claim assets under the Inheritance Act, but this process is costly, slow, and unreliable.
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