B P Collins Solicitors: talk to the experts
Gerrards Cross: +44(0) 1753 889995
Beaconsfield: +44(0) 1494 675363
Related stories
New child protection laws announced
20 November 2008
Lawyers go to the top of the class in directories
13 November 2008
Prize giving for local photography students
4 November 2008
Changes to Child Maintenance
27 October 2008
Warning issued to co-habiting couples
15 August 2008
The government has reminded cohabiting couples that unless they marry or enter into a civil partnership their relationship will not be legally recognised.
Justice minister Bridget Prentice said people who live together "should not assume that they will automatically have the same rights as married couples or civil partners".
This can have significant implications for people making wills, as surviving partners will stand to inherit nothing unless they are named as a beneficiary.
Similarly, those without a financial stake in a property will also have no rights to it if the relationship ultimately breaks down.
"In court, there is no such thing as a common law marriage," Ms Prentice stated.
"Before you are at the stage where you start living together, make sure you know your rights," she added.
Kevin Morgan, managing director of Consilium Financial Planning, recently advised people to review their wills every five years to take into account any "important lifestyle changes".
The expert said it is essential that everyone writes a will.
