Deciding not to marry does not mean the committment between you means less. It is your choice but it does mean that you need to focus on what automatic rights the survivor of you will not benefit from.

The fact is that if one of you died now then the survivor will be left high and dry. Bills to pay, liabilities to meet and possibly mortgages to settle.

When someone dies without leaving a Will, they are deemed to have died 'intestate'. In that event the law directs who gets what and when. Unless all of your assets are in your joint names, the survivor of you could end up losing out.

For example:

• Bob and Helen have been living together for 21 years in the house in Bob's own name.
• Bob dies Intestate.
• He has £20,000 in the bank.
• The rules of intestacy provide that as Bob's parents survived him, they will inherit the house and the £20,000.
• Unless Bob's parents 'do the honourable thing for Helen, she will have to make an application to the Court and sue Bob's estate.

In the worst case scenario.

Another point you should consider is what will happen to your estate should you die at the same time as your partner in some freak accident.

This is what we call a default provision. People in the 20 to 40 years old bracket tend to make Wills saying that in this event:-

• half of his estate passes to his family
• half of his estate passes to his in laws
• half of her estate passes to her family,
• half of her estate passes to her in laws.

Most people take the view that in this event, the most dependent people have died and so treating the different sides of the family equally is the most appropriate way to proceed.

It is up to you but we hope this gives you some ideas.

Making a Will is simple and the document can continue to remain in force even if you one day decid to marry. 

We offer fixed-fee Will writing for couples of £275.00 (including VAT). This includes the cost of two Wills. 

If you think some people might not take too kindly to your decisions and try to contest your Will, you might be interested in The Vital Testimony. While this will add to the cost it should avoid your beneficiaries paying thousands of pounds to lawyers in the future.

If you would like to make Wills with us, please complete the following: