Poll reveals majority of cohabiting couples unaware of inheritance risks without a Will

A new survey conducted by Will Aid, the national Will writing campaign, has revealed an alarming gap in the public's understanding about inheritance laws affecting cohabiting couples.

The survey found that 67% of cohabitees in the North West were unaware of the rules of intestacy and what happens to their estate if they die without a Will.

The statistics from the Region paints a similar picture to the rest of the country, with 68% of UK cohabitees, also unaware of the risks without a Will.

This lack of awareness could have devastating consequences for many families in the North West, as cohabiting couples; regardless of how long they have lived together or whether they have children; are not automatically entitled to inherit from 1 another if 1 partner dies without leaving a Will.

Key findings from the poll include:-

25% mistakenly believe their estate would automatically pass to their partner.
20% admitted they were unsure what would happen.
15% said they had never even thought about the issue.
7% thought their estate would go to close friends.

The Rules of Intestacy dictate how a person's estate is distributed when they die without a Will.

These rules prioritise spouses, civil partners, and blood relatives, often leaving cohabiting partners with no legal right to inherit anything. This could leave surviving partners facing significant financial hardship, particularly in cases where they are dependent on the deceased's income or home.

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid Campaign Director, said:- "Many people assume that after living together for a period of time, they automatically become common law husband and wife, but this is not the case. The concept of 'common law marriage' ceased to exist a very long time ago. If you are cohabiting as a couple, the law does not recognise you as common law spouses, even if you have children together and have lived together for many years. Therefore, if you do not have a Will, the Rules of Intestacy will apply, and your partner will be completely disregarded."

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

De Vena Franks added:- "Will Aid is the perfect opportunity for unmarried and cohabiting partners to get a professionally written Will in place. Without a Will, surviving partners may not be automatically entitled to inherit, leaving them in a vulnerable position; and it's particularly worrying that so many people aren't aware of this, and don't fully understand the Rules of Intestacy. By participating in Will Aid, couples can ensure their wishes are clearly documented, giving both partners peace of mind that their loved 1 will be provided for in the event of their death."

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and 8 of the UK's best loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 35 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make a voluntary upfront donation to:- Will Aid; the suggested amounts are �120 for a single basic Will and �200 for a pair of basic:- 'mirror' Wills.

Will Aid is encouraging people to use its upcoming campaign month to write or update their Wills with a participating solicitor, while also supporting UK charities including:- Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, SCIAF (Scotland), Tr�caire (Northern Ireland) and; new for this year, Shelter and Crisis.

For appointments and more information on Will Aid, or discover how to get involved, please visit:- WillAid.Org.UK.

'Hate Makes Me Feel' initiative empowers young people to stand up to hate crime

A powerful initiative is helping Merseyside's young people to tackle hate crime from the classroom up; thanks to funding seized from criminals.

To mark Hate Crime Awareness Week, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell visited Anfield Road Primary School today, to see first-hand how the:- 'Hate Makes me Feel' project is transforming attitudes, tackling hate crime head-on and building safer, stronger communities.

Delivered by Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC, the initiative uses interactive activities, storytelling, and discussion to help children as young as 7 understand the impact of hate crime, recognise it when it happens, and feel confident reporting it through age-appropriate and emotionally engaging sessions.

The project is:- 1 of 22, successful recipients of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Merseyside Police's Community Cashback Fund; an initiative that reinvests money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) back into local communities, to reduce crime and anti social behaviour, strengthen community resilience, and support vulnerable members of the community.

This year's funding round focused specifically on projects that improve community integration and cohesion, and tackle hate crime, following the violence and disorder seen across the Region last summer.

As well as workshops for the young people, the programme also provides training for School staff, as well as informal sessions for parents, including:- coffee mornings tailored to those with English as an additional language. These sessions aim to equip adults with the knowledge and confidence to identify and report hate crime, fostering safer School and community environments.

Delivered in partnership with Merseyside Police's Community Engagement Unit, the initiative has reached nearly 2,000 pupils and 50 trained professionals across Schools in Merseyside.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- "At a time when division and intolerance are being amplified across society, it's critical that we take action to stop the spread of hate. Initiatives like:- 'Hate Makes Me Feel' are doing just that; empowering young people to understand the impact of hate crime and giving them the tools to challenge it. By reaching children early, we're helping to build a generation that values empathy, respect and inclusion, and ultimately creating safer, stronger communities for everyone. It's more important than ever to show that Merseyside stands united against hate in all its forms, and I'm proud to support grassroots organisations like Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC who are leading the way in making that vision a reality."

Detective Chief Inspector Yoseph Al-Ramadhan, Merseyside Police said:- "We're proud to have partnered with Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC to deliver these educational training sessions that help young people understand the impact of hate crime on individuals and communities. Education is 1 of the most powerful tools in preventing hate and promoting inclusion, and through this initiative, we aim to empower the next generation to recognise, challenge, and stand up against all forms of hatred and prejudice. Collaborating with our partners in this way strengthens our collective commitment to ensuring that everyone in Merseyside feels safe, valued, and respected."

Danielle Azanuwha, Director Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC said:- "Our partnership with Merseyside Police began 4 years ago with a shared goal�to engage migrant communities in North Liverpool and address the underreporting of hate crime. We recognised that many individuals, especially those whose English is a second language, didn't feel confident or safe enough to report incidents. Through community hubs, awareness sessions, and trusted relationships, we've worked to break down those barriers and build trust between the Police and the communities they serve. In 2022, following a spike in hate crime among our service users, we realised we needed to act preventatively. That's how:- 'Hate Makes Me Feel' was born. The response to these sessions so far has been incredible. This work is vital; not just to educate and empower; but to ensure every child and adult feels safe, supported, and part of a community that stands firmly against hate."

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Poll reveals majority of cohabiting couples unaware of inheritance risks without a Will

'Hate Makes Me Feel' initiative empowers young people to stand up to hate crime