Hampshire cohabiting couples advised to rewrite Wills

Population statistics from Hampshire County Council predict that by 2026, the number of married couples will drop by 6% and the number of cohabiting couples will increase by 42%.

Following the projections, local law firm Moore Blatch warns that cohabiting couples need to review their wills due to there being less legal protection offered to cohabiters versus married couples. With forecasts of almost one in two people in Hampshire being over 45 by 2026, it appears that many are choosing to spend the rest of their lives cohabiting as an alternative to marriage.  

Unlike married couples, if the unfortunate was to happen to a cohabiter and you passed away without a Will, the law does not automatically entitle your partner to inherit your estate – however many years you may have lived together.

Andy Kirby, Senior Trusts and Tax Manager at Moore Blatch said: ‘Many couples are unaware that in the eyes of the law, cohabiting couples do not have the same inheritance rights as married couples or civil partners – in fact, their rights are very limited and will often require a costly Court action to substantiate." However, a Will can put your mind at rest, safe in the knowledge that your loved ones will inherit what they deserve.’