Remember you have only until 28 February to let the Law Commission know what you think of their proposed reforms to the Intestacy Rules that apply when someone dies without a Will.
Areas highlighted for potential reform include
- The entitlement of a surviving spouse (or civil partner) where the deceased also left children (perhaps from another relationship);
- Whether certain cohabitants should share in the Estate; who should qualify; how much should they get;
- Trusts for children on intestacy and the effect of adoption on a child’s entitlement; and
- The distinction made between full brothers and sisters and half-brothers and sisters.
You can read the report and the proposals at :
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/current_consultations.htm
If you want to make sure the Intestacy Rules (the current ones or the proposed new ones) do not apply to your Estate, the simple answer is to make a Will.