Wills

Coz

If I die whilst unmarried, will everything automatically be left to my child, or do I need to make a will?

poseidon1

You need a will if for no other reason than to appoint a guardian/trustee for your child whilst under 18.

Dying without a will leaves your child a ward of court with faceless institutions making decisions about all aspects of the child's welfare during its minority.

Incidentally with regard to your other thread regarding life assurance, make sure any eventual policy is written in trust for your child, appointing suitable trustees to administer the trust funds on their behalf whilst a minor.

Said trustees maybe the legal guardian appointed under your will, but your choice in this regard will be individual/s with sufficient common sense and fiscal competency to responsibly safeguard your child's inheritance.

Ayr_Rage

Check the intestacy rules for where you live too, they aren't the same throughout the home nations.

Emmia

https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

You can work through the effects of dying intestate (without a will) and different scenarios with this tool.