Providing for a Spouse or Civil Partner

In a first marriage situation, matters are often straightforward. It is generally a case of ensuring that all available assets are made available for the benefit of the surviving spouse.

In a second marriage situation, there can often be complications. It is sometimes important to try and achieve two aims which can potentially be in conflict, namely ensuring that capital is preserved for the benefit of the children of the first marriage, whilst ensuring that the widest possible benefit is given to the surviving spouse.

We have extensive experience in advising on a wide variety of circumstances in which married clients find themselves. We have expertise in finding the best way to meet the requirements of surviving spouses and children.

The advent of the Civil Partnership Act 2005 brought a new dimension to family relations. Both we and the firm's Family Unit are building up experience in advising civil partners and the provision that civil partners can make for each other.

We are particularly concerned to ensure that civil partners are given the correct advise on the inheritance tax position and the exemptions that are available to them, and that they have the most appropriate wills in place