Dyertribe

Need to check out their insurance cover my hubby insured for £2m so in the unlikely event of things not going to plan the clients don't lose out

That question is way beyond my powers of explanation! P.M. me if you would like to speak to someone who can answer that, it'll take some time I'm informed!

Pot noodle

No, you have to fill in a form of all the assets and then if it is over the inheritance tax threshold you give 40% of the remainder to the tax man. You can set up trusts and things to avoid this but you would need to speak to someone like my hubby to get the technical detail. Don't rely on a solicitor to know though they are trained in the law not financial matters Good decision! Don't let the solicitor make themselves an executor though see previous posts, sneaking money off people in that was is a pet hate of mine!

Unless you have sorted things so the tax man gets as litte as possible

If all his assets were jointly held or those in his name only were under £5,000 then you did not need to go to probate, in all other circumstances you do, it doesn't mean anyone will contest it that is a fairly rare occurrence. It is just the way the law works.

If there is a will the mortgage people will want their money, whether they will grant the partner a mortgage to cover it will depend upon status, as long as they get what they are owed they will be happy, same as with a loan on a car. Life insurance to cover the amount of the outstanding mortgage would work. The difference between the boat's value and the mortgage would be the unmarried partner's

If there is no will it follows the laws of intestacy, so the unmarried partner gets nothing

I know that sort........ Tart!

Think you may have answered your own question there! Try T K Maxx, they have some upmarket versions there at Tesco value prices, that'll confuse 'em.

Unfortunately many solicitors see wills etc as small fry and don't put in the study to keep up to date with things. There is relatively little money in it for them compared to divorce, conveyancing etc unless the put themselves in the will as executors and take a percentage of the estate as a fee.

Sorry about that, before mt time on the forum

As my husband is in the business of will writing I cant tell you the number of times we hear "didn't get around to it" and end up doing rush appointments in hospitals or sadly telling spouses that dementia now precludes the loved one making a will. Lasting power of attorney... That's a whole new thread

My daughter, just turned 13 loves a canal holiday thinks its cool and wants to introduce her school friends to it. Talking to other parents of kids in her class and they fancy it too.

If the will puts the first deceased persons half into a Trust then the asset cannot be considered when assessing the second persons assets for funding of long term care later down the line(as the law stands at present) . Don't just sign that half over to your kids as so many people do as things over which they or you have no control ( divorce, bankruptcy etc) can rob you of the asset. Please see my declared interest in my post above. Alyson

You're right, it's only then you realise how powerful marriage is in giving you a say in your loved ones affairs