My husband and I do not live together and neither of us wants a divorce. Can I change my name to something else, even though I’m still married? Will either of us have any claim on the others estate when one of us dies?
You can change your name to whatever you choose in everyday life, although institutions such as your bank or the DWP may need something more formal. As regards each others property, if either you or your husband fail to make a will everything you own up to £450,000 will go to the survivor if you have no children, plus a life interest in half of anything above that sum. Even if your husband cut you out of his will you would still be able to make a claim on his estate, especially if you were being supported by him financially.