1: Who will organise my affairs? The legal system decides who will represent the deceased, potentially leading to complications and delays causing emotional and financial strain on your loved ones.

2: Will my surviving spouse inherit everything I own? Your surviving spouse will only inherit the first £250,000, the remainder must be split between spouse and children.

3: Will my children & grandchildren receive anything? If you are married, your children and grandchildren will not benefit unless you are worth more than £250,000.

4: We are not married, will my partner receive anything? They will not receive any of your assets automatically.

5: Will my children from my previous relationship receive anything? If you have children from a previous relationship and have since re-married, your children will not receive anything unless you are worth more than £250,000.

6: Will my child’s financial and marital problems affect their inheritance? If your children are having divorce or financial issues their inheritance may be taken into account and they may lose their inheritance to ex-spouse or creditors.

7: Will my step-children automatically get anything? No.

8: Will my estranged spouse receive anything? If you are separated from a previous spouse but not fully divorced, they could still inherit a portion of your assets.

9: Who will look after my children? If you have young children (under 18 years) and both parents die before appointing a guardian, the courts will be left to approve who takes care of them. The Court of Protection will take full responsibility for your children until they reach adulthood. 

10. What happens to my estate if I don’t have any surviving relatives? If there are no surviving relatives who can inherit under the rules of intestacy, the estate passes to the Crown.