My wife left me last year after 46 years of marriage. She is now living in a flat our daughters have bought for her. What is she entitled to when anything happens to me? Do I have to leave her anything in my will, or is she entitled to half of what I have?
If you die while you are still married without making a will, your wife will automatically be entitled to the first £250,000 of your assets and a share of anything above that sum. Even if you make a will leaving everything to someone else your wife may well be able to make a claim on your estate under the family provision legislation. After 46 years of marriage she would of course be entitled to a share of your property if you were to divorce.