If a person dies after 6^th February without leaving a valid Will and leaves a lawful spouse or civil partner and children, the spouse or civil partner inherits £270,000 of the estate and the balance above this figure is divided in half and the spouse or civil partner receives half of the balance and the other half is divided equally between the children.

Example

Joe dies intestate leaving his widow Mary and three children, his estate is £500,000.

Mary receives £385,000 (£270,000 + £115,000) and the children each receive £38,333.33 (£115,000 x 1/3).

This is complicated and may not reflect what you’d want to happen, especially if it’s a second marriage.

When you make your Will at Catherine Higgins Law in Woolton, Liverpool, we discuss your circumstances and wishes, prepare your Will and when you are happy with everything, you sign it.