Cohabitees - Tricky Problems & Practical Solutions for Private Client Professionals

Introduction

Cohabiting couples are now the second largest family type and account for 3.4 million families in the UK.

Unmarried partners (excluding civil partnerships) do not stand to inherit when their partner dies.

Therefore, it is important to have a will in place that sets out the deceased’s wishes, and which adequately accounts for their obligations to the surviving cohabitee.

All too often we see cases where a cohabitee passes away with an outdated or inadequate will - or more seriously, no will at all.

Today’s families will almost always need to understand the rights of surviving cohabitees to remain in the property and have access to the resources of the relationship.

Often, parties will need to understand their position early on and in a non-combative environment. Against the backdrop of the modern blended family, difficulties can arise.

This new virtual classroom seminar will enable you to provide advice on the issues and prepare your client for what may come.

The session will focus primarily on the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (‘the Act’) and trust law - providing practical tips, answers to tricky questions and solutions to common problems in this area.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• What claims are available to the surviving cohabitees?
• What happens to jointly owned property and how can you protect the cohabitees’ right in property?
• Whether cohabitees have a right to the deceased’s pension and death benefits, despite the absence of a nomination
• Eligibility under the Act - Re Dix, deceased and Kaur v Dhaliwal & Anor
• What award could be made under the Act - Banfield v Campbell
• Special factors that apply to claims brought by cohabitees under the Act
• Practical tips and considerations

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.