Know your legal rights

A LEGAL firm is warning unmarried couples in the borough to make a will - or they may lose out.

More than half of unmarried couples wrongly believe their assets are protected by the law and between half and two-thirds of adults have not made a will.

Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if you are a couple who has lived together for two years or more and one of you dies without making a will, then spouses, children, civil partners and cohabitees are entitled to make an application for 'reasonable financial provision' in court. Similarly if you are married without a will you will not automatically inherit your partner's estate - this only happens if a couple hold their assets in joint names.

Howard Burns, wills and probate partner at Lewis Hymanson Small, in Manchester, said: "Until the law changes and unmarried couples have the same rights as married ones they have a moral obligation to their family and their security to draw up a will.

"This will stop any unnecessary litigation and disputes. Be prepared for the future especially if you have children and own property."

For mote information on these matters, please call our office at 305 548 5020.

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