Martin Lewis has urged couples who live together, but are unmarried, to have financial arrangements in place to help manage their assets when they die.
The money saving expert has said that those who do not wish to marry should get either a will, civil partnership or another form of contract to lawfully inherit their partner's assets. In his latest newsletter, he said unmarried couples have no status under inheritance law in the UK.
This essentially means that you may be at risk of losing an asset you assumed you would naturally inherit if your partner was to die, the Mirror reports. This includes things such as a house, even if you have lived in it for several years.
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Mr Lewis urged people to have those "unpleasant" chats with friends and families and he highlighted the importance of wills - which is a legally binding document outlining what happens to your money and possessions when you die. He added it was important to be "candid and blunt".
He wrote: "What I'm about to explain isn't pleasant, but it is important. The financial and emotional cost to loved ones of ignoring this can be dire. So whether with parents or children, I'd encourage you to have the 'unpleasant issues' chat.
"I wouldn't frame it that way, but being candid, blunt and as unemotional as possible. And perhaps the odd eye may tear, that's fine, it just means they love you"
Those who are not married and who have dependent children, or are concerned about inheritance tax, should consider writing a will. Mr Lewis said: "Your relationship means nowt in law."
He also encouraged couples to consider a cohabitation agreement if they're unmarried but living together adding: "If you live with your partner, but are neither married nor in a civil partnership, you may want to consider drawing up a 'cohabitation agreement' in addition to writing a will.
"While a will determines what happens to your assets and belongings once you die, a cohabitation agreement spells out what happens if your relationship breaks down."
Mr Lewis added: "Cohabitation agreements are strongest if both partners have had independent legal advice and haven't signed under duress."
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