'Newly' married and unsure who to tell.

Holly123_2

Hi
I married my long term partner 3 months ago. The reason for marriage was a legal requirement as he has cancer and a poor life expectancy, and he wanted me to be secure. (We'd been partners for 20 years)
The problem I have is I wish to keep my own name. I have all my own bank accounts, pension fund, various official stuff in my old name. I really don't want to have to change everything over.
What I need to know is - is there anyone I really MUST inform? Obviously I have my marriage cert to prove my marriage should the need arise.
I don't work or pay tax though I am due to retire in November (though state pension wise it's July next year) and will claim my private pension then.

Any advice would be a help

BlondeHeadOn

I am married but kept my old name and didn't bother telling most orgaisations. I did tell my accountant (to cover telling HMRC), and also the doctors surgery (not sure why, but it seemed like a good idea!) I can't remember telling anyone else though - it ws 12 years ago now, and never had a problem with this.

It might be an idea for your husband to tell the pensions people, bank, life insurance etc. (and make sure you are named as NOK/beneficiary if required).

Check your wills as well, they may be affected by your new status.

Apart from that, I can't think of anyone I had to tell.

Good luck with everything, and I hope you have lots of time yet to enjoy your new husband.

All best wishes.

Person_one

Sorry about your partner's illness.

I don't think most people need to be informed specifically, but possibly insurance policies? Especially if joint. Premiums can be affected by marital status and they tend to use any excuse not to pay out so I always think its a good idea to inform them of absolutely everything and give them less possible excuses!

You might have to write new wills too unless your last ones were 'in anticipation of marriage'.

Edit. Cross posted with Blonde.

Holly123_2

Hi both
Thanks for your replies. I'll follow through with the ideas.

MotownFox

You do have to write new wills as marriage revokes any previous wills unless the previous ones were 'in anticipation of marriage' and were done within the last few years.

Your husband needs to do a will asap then due to his poor life expectancy and make contact as suggested re Life Policy assignment and Pension providers to make sure you are named as a beneficiary.

NB In your will you also need to put both of your names i.e. Holly X (your name) also known as Holly Y (married name)

You do need to tell HMRC as already mentioned and get your allowances correct in time for when you are receiving your Pension

Oldernotwiser

MotownFox wrote: »

You do have to write new wills as marriage revokes any previous wills unless the previous ones were 'in anticipation of marriage' and were done within the last few years.

Your husband needs to do a will asap then due to his poor life expectancy and make contact as suggested re Life Policy assignment and Pension providers to make sure you are named as a beneficiary.

NB In your will you also need to put both of your names i.e. Holly X (your name) also known as Holly Y (married name)

You do need to tell HMRC as already mentioned and get your allowances correct in time for when you are receiving your Pension

She won't need to do the bit I've put in bold as she won't be known by her husband's name - that's the whole point!

gratefulforhelp_2

No advice to add, but wanted to say congratulations, and I'm so sorry about your husband's illness.

ailuro2

Tell your pension providers as it changes your marital status with them?

Try and think of anything where it asks for your marital status and didn't have cohabiting/ married in the same tick box, so car insurance normally has the options as either/or but perhaps your bank account would have different boxes to tick, iyswim.

Sorry you're in this sad position.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

The fact of marriage renders previous wills useless, and if you don't deal with that, the money goes to George Osbourne's department instead.

I'm sorry about your husband's ilness and I hope the future is as gentle on him as it can be.

mum2one

I can't help with anything really, would def agree re the new will, as I sure that marriage cancels any old wills out, I know your be still using your "original" surname, but it might be better to cover everything now.

I'm so sorry about your partners illness, but hope that you both enjoy your time together x

sassy_one

Sorry to read about your husband