Adding my partner to my house deeds

p00hsticks

SueGarbs said:

Thank you, hadn't really thought of getting married, but if it protects my partner I think this maybe the way to go. Seems daft that you can live with somebody all these years and there is nothing binding between you, yet somebody else can get married within a couple of months of meeting someone and have more right

Even though we already had wills leaving everything to each other, me and my partner were in a similar position and finally got married (in a very quiet ceremony) after nearly 30 years together, partly because it meant that the survivor would benefit from the other's DB pensions, partly because of IHT considerations and partly because I think in many ways it will makes things a lot easier for the survivor. Note that if you do get married, I believe it invalidates any existing will unless it has been specifically written in anticipation of the marriage.

Marcon

SueGarbs said:

So if we get married, will the house just become his if anything happens to me. Will it not be included in my estate. I just don't want him to be lumbered with a tax bill for a house he has paid half towards

If you get married, anything left to your spouse doesn't count towards IHT. If you leave your spouse 'everything', then he will have the use of your nil rate band of £325K when he dies - plus the additional slug of relief if a property he owns is left to children/grandchildren - which includes step children. More info: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/inheritance-tax-residence-nil-rate-band#direct-decs

Another financial advantage of getting married could be increased pension benefits if one (or indeed both) of you are in schemes which pay out only to a spouse or civil partner.

Keep_pedalling

SueGarbs said:

p00hsticks said:

Any reason why you aren't prepared to get married, as this would be advantageous IHT wise.... ?

We have never really wanted to get married. We are happy as we are. Might be an option though. 

Now you know the pitfalls of IHT and lack of pension rights you should really reconsider. It won’t make the slightest difference to your personal relationship, but it is a no brainier financially. Unfortunate many people in your position find out the hard way, dyeing intestate and unmarried has creating serious financial hardship for many surviving partners.

A civil partnership is equally effective.