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Marriage, relationships & families

Discuss the MoneySaving implications of relationships and family life.

MoneySaving mums

A place for mums with kids of all ages to discuss parent MoneySaving matters.

974 discussions 13.8K comments Most recent: Dreamland snuggle up warming throw, disappointed by jack_121 30 November at 9:42PM
MoneySaving dads

A place for dads with kids of all ages to discuss parent MoneySaving matters.

372 discussions 4.1K comments Most recent: A married couple gifting a child tax free limit £3000 or £6000 by tetrarch 16 November at 1:10PM
Deaths, funerals & probate

Get MoneySaving help at the time of bereavement - discuss wills, inheritance tax, estate planning and more.

12.9K discussions 136K comments Most recent: Facts around Will and trust, abuse of vulnerable people by Nearlyold Today at 2:01PM
Pets & pet care

For MoneySaving questions about taking care of your cat, dog, parrot or other animal companion, including vet fees and pet insurance.

15.9K discussions 250K comments Most recent: Ideas for dog with bladder urgency/ control problems by Cyclamen 2 December at 2:36PM

Marriage, Relationships & Families sticky
👪 Here are some Forum threads you might find useful: * Information about term time holidays and imposed penalties * Please look after your privacy, we can't do it for you! * What to do when a partner/spouse dies * Pet Insurance guide discussion area * Free rail travel for people fleeing domestic violence 👪 And here's some…
Help please! - Severance of joint tenancy with unequal shares
Writing this for a friend, names have been changed! Does anyone have any experience of serving a notice of severance of joint tenancy when the split should not be 50/50? We want to state the desire to sever joint tenancy and ideally become tenants in common (as he refuses to remove himself from the deeds) with an unequal…
Advice if possible (forced sale)
Couple splitting, not married No kids House, joint ownership One wants to leave, the other doesn't want to sell but has agreed to a buy out House valued by three agents All gave same valuations Leaver paid deposit, buyer expected half of deposit They have now accepted, likely after advice and working out what the leaver…
Should we bother to Marry ?
Good evening, Both my partner and me are now divorced. Both retired, late 60s and have been together 12 years. Is there any benefit in getting married? Tax implications etc? think we're both a bit long in the tooth to re-marry. Thanks for your help,
Online divorce
I’m looking for advice around the online divorce via gov.uk. I want a divorce, sell the house etc but he doesn’t and he’s dragging his heels refusing to do anything. I’ve seen this is a way of a cheap divorce without fighting (I don’t want to fight, I just want to move on with what’s mine and he has what’s his) I spoke to…
One for the ladies
I’m in a long term relationship and feel we are long overdue getting engaged. We’ve always wanted to travel to Iceland to see Northern lights where I had planned on proposing. Over the past year I’ve been saving to buy an engagement ring and now have enough for either the trip to Iceland or the engagement ring. Due to kids…
Will, excluding “potential inheritance” from joint assets
Hi, not sure how to word this! My husband and I ( we have no children) have mirrored wills to pass on our assets, how can I make provision for potential inheritance from my parents to ensure that any part of that goes to my side of the family and not shared as part of our joint assets? I obviously don’t know how much I…
Dispute on a Will - what to do?
I am an executor on the Will of my great aunt (now deceased). We were not made aware of her death until the solicitors who the Will was with got in contact (Sep 24). The son of my great aunt, who was present during his death, has disputed the will and challenged her lack of inclusion. The Will stated that he was not to get…
Kindle for a teen
Hi all We've bought our book loving 13 year old a Kindle for Christmas. What's the best way of setting her up so she can build her library? Is there a way of setting her up on my Amazon account and capping what she can spend on books. Any other ways of doing it? I don't want her getting carried away but also I don't want…
Home education, finances, and anxiety
Hi everyone, I’d be really grateful for advice from anyone who’s been through something similar. My daughter is 11 (Year 7) and has struggled with anxiety around school since Reception. On her first days of school, she would sit in puddles in her uniform to try to avoid going in, and burst into tears. She did eventually…
Power of Attorney/Deputyship
I’m hoping someone can help My brother is in a care home with dementia. His wife was managing his affairs but sadly she had a stroke and died a few days later. I have been contacted by his social worker who is wanting someone to have power of attorney. I have agreed but it seems that to do that the patient has to request…
A warning for all you unmarried couples out there!
It seems that the majority of people in long term partnerships who have not formalised that relationship though marriage or a civil partnership are living in ignorance of what sort of financial mess they could leave their loved ones in the event of their death. Less than 50% of these couples have put wills in place and…
Controversial dads football team name?
Hi all, this is a bit random. But I'm looking to see if I'm right in my thinking here, or overthinking. I play football for a local dads group, and we are ordering a football kit to play in some charity games / friendlies. A load of names were suggested in our whatsapp group, but the one that has won the poll is 'AC…
Changing name by deed poll in 2025
I want to change my given name; my only reason for doing this is that I have never liked my first name and want to make a fresh start. I don't mind paying for this...a lot of money if that's what it takes, but no more than is necessary. No unnecessary faff either. The UK government deed poll site describes enrolled and…
Money Moral Dilemma: Should I give my nephew £10,000 now even though he'll likely fritter it away?
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... Following a small inheritance I received four years ago, I gave my niece £10,000 towards a house deposit. I want to do the same for my nephew, her brother, but his life's very different. Although he's 29 he's not saving for anything in particular, and his parents say any…
Opinion on Telling the Income In House
Just wanted to get people’s thoughts on this. Do you think it’s a good idea to tell your family members your actual income, or is it better to mention a bit less to help with money saving? Some people say being open keeps things honest and makes budgeting easier, while others think saying a lower amount helps avoid…
Mediator
I've had an invitation to attend paid mediation as arranged by my STBX. I've had no involvement in the selection of the mediator, they have already attended an initial session. Can I challenge this as I have been getting threatening emails from their solicitor too. Should they be mutually chosen?
Invoicing for past care provided
I hope someone could offer me some advice. My parents health declined and they needed daily help with personal and everyday. We suggested we build an annex for them on our property so I could be there 24/7, cameras installed etc. Parents paid for the annex, sold their original home and the money went into their banks. They…
Is there a lack of financial education in the UK from family and schools?
Is it just me or does there seem to be a lack of financial education in the UK whether that be from school or from parents? When I fled the nest and got my first property nobody taught me about personal finances and it was only through life experience and my own research that I became more aware. -Have a budget that you…
Looked after children through theLA
Hi we have been looking after our 2 grandchildren for the LA as they were taken from their mother in August 25. We have gone through all the process of assessments & we're told by the court they could stay with us. What financial support are we entitled to please
Wanna check blood tests
Saw urologist other day and he said oh you've got diabetes. How can I check the NHS app to check my last blood tests? Doctors too lazy to ever contact you buy I'd like my.last round of blood tests interpreted