Two thirds of cohabitees don’t know what would happen if they die without a Will

Die without a Will,  many cohabiting couples don’t know what that would actually mean in practice.

New research from Will Aid suggests many cohabiting couples are unsure what would happen if they die without a Will. In a recent survey of cohabitees, two thirds admitted they did not know how their estate would be shared.

Many respondents assumed everything would automatically pass to their partner. Others thought their assets would go to their children or even to close friends. In reality, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits when someone dies without a Will. Those rules do not give cohabiting partners the same protection as spouses or civil partners.

The survey also found that one in five people simply did not know what would happen if they die without a Will. A further 17% said they had never even thought about the issue.

The latest National Wills Report paints a similar picture. It suggests that only around 37% of UK adults currently have a Will. Just half of parents with children under 18 have one in place. Among younger adults, only about one in five people have made a Will. By contrast, 56% of over-55s have taken this step.

Together, these findings show how exposed many cohabiting couples are if the worst happens. If you are reviewing your plans as a cohabiting couple, or thinking about separation, this may be a good moment to seek advice.