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Rights as an engaged couple

24

Comments

  • Grumpelstiltskin
    Grumpelstiltskin Posts: 5,879 Forumite
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    If you are not married you need proper advice from a qualified solicitor, there are so many potential problems and if the wills are not watertight there can be problems.

    The cost of 2 proper wills will not be far short of the cost of a basic wedding, so it's up to you.
    If you go down to the woods today you better not go alone.
  • unforeseen
    unforeseen Posts: 7,448 Forumite
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    Comms69 wrote: »
    There are some rights as persons engaged to be married, but they are very limited
    What rights would they be?
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 13,026 Forumite
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    charlotte1994 wrote: »
    Oh really? What's the difference between a will writing service, are they not legally binding?

    Yes legally binding but you get what you pay for.
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
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    unforeseen wrote: »
    What rights would they be?



    If the engaged couple own property or land together, under certain circumstances, the property will be treated by the courts as if they were married.


    - https://www.frettens.co.uk/site/library/frettensnews/engagement-legal-implications-family-solicitor-bournemouth
  • DigForVictory
    DigForVictory Posts: 12,172 Forumite
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    Get a quote for mirror wills from a respectable solicitor & shop around registry offices. The differences can be minimal & as for the "we'd regret a registry office" - no, you'll seriously regret Not Getting the Paperwork Nailed.

    Frankly you've got off lucky these last 6 years, it could all go sideways fast tomorrow morning, so if you are serious about being able to look after each other in a crisis, then have that chat about 'musts' and 'would likes' in a wedding & eyeball registry offices a lot more thoroughly. (They are much much nicer than you might think!)

    They also beat the stuffing out of hospital bed weddings which only occur if the medics have signed one of you up for being dead within the week.

    Do not leave this to chance for much longer. Get a Will and/or a wedding, pronto.
  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,624 Forumite
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    edited 12 February 2019 at 1:35PM
    Comms69 wrote: »
    If the engaged couple own property or land together, under certain circumstances, the property will be treated by the courts as if they were married.

    - https://www.frettens.co.uk/site/library/frettensnews/engagement-legal-implications-family-solicitor-bournemouth

    That's a very imprecise statement.


    Joint property owners (if joint tenants) will have certain rights, eg if the other party dies, but that is by virtue of being 'joint tenants' and nothing to do with being engaged or not.
    Everything will be alright in the end so, if it’s not yet alright, it means it’s not yet the end
    Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
  • hb2
    hb2 Posts: 1,399 Forumite
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    While you are sorting out your wills, consider shelling out a bit more and doing powers of attorney too. This would allow you each to,look after the affairs of the other (if you named each other as attorneys) in the event of a serious accident or illness. This can be done DIY very easily and is particularly important if you have separate bank accounts etc.
    It's not difficult!
    'Wander' - to walk or move in a leisurely manner.
    'Wonder' - to feel curious.
  • Thrice
    Thrice Posts: 159 Forumite
    Just to throw my 2 cents worth in...

    There is nothing to stop you having a legally binding marriage ceremony now, as cheap as you can make it.

    Then have a proper wedding next year. It's not for everyone, I'm just saying you 'can' do it,

    x
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
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    jackieblack wrote: »
    That's a very imprecise statement.


    Joint property owners (if joint tenants) will have certain rights, eg if the other party dies, but that is by virtue of being 'joint tenants' and nothing to do with being engaged or not.



    'Joint tenants' are still liable for IHT for example.


    But more to the point - it's about couples who own as tenants in common, usually with unequal shares.


    Given it's a direct quote from that website, by all means go and argue with the solicitors....
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,544 Forumite
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    edited 12 February 2019 at 12:50PM
    A very quiet registry office wedding (£120 for a weekday?) - followed by a 'big frock' church/other venue blessing and all the trimmings when you can afford it. Job done. Peace of mind all round.
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