If a couple have both legitimate and illegitimate children, or indeed, step children who have not been formally adopted then a will is imperative if they want all to inherit equally. The law will not recognise an illegitimate or a step child over a legitimate child. As has been said before, 'the Law is a hass, and the law sir, is a Batchelor!'

This is also shown by the fact that until recently, more women were left intestate (husband died and left no will) than were divorced. A married womans' next of kin is her husband or child. A married mans' next of kin is his mother or father if still alive, his child if any and THEN his wife. If a widow is left intestate, his parents have the legal right to deny her anything he might have left. If there are no children, and the house is in his name only, they can sell it out from under her.

Make a will - it's the best thing in the long run, especially if you are not married in law (In Britain, a wedding celebrated under any rites other than those which have the Bible as their Holy book, are not recognised as legal, and the couple have to have a Registry office ceremony to make it legal), and have children, whether your own, your partners or adopted.


LTS