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12 financial affairs58% of respondents to the British Social Attitudes Survey (2006)thought that unmarried couples who live together had a 'commonlaw marriage', which gives them the same legal rights as marriedcouples. In fact, common law marriage is NOT recognised in UK law.THE WILLLiving togetherUnmarried couples need to make Willsto ensure that the other partner inherits.If one partner dies without leaving a Will,the surviving partner will not automaticallyinherit anything unless the couple ownedproperty jointly. If you inherit money orproperty from an unmarried partner, youare not exempt from paying InheritanceTax, as married couples are.MarriedWhen your married partner dies, you willinherit under the Will of the dead partner ifit makes provision for you. If either marriedpartner dies without making a Will, theother will inherit all or some ofthe estate. Even if thereis no Will, the child ofeither unmarriedor marriedparents has alegal right toinherit fromboth parentsand thefamilies ofboth parents.Will ServiceIf you want to ensurethat your wishes are carriedout and your estate goes to whoyou want it to, making a Will isessential. Foresters provides adiscounted Will writing service to allour members via mywebclub.Alternatively, we now offer the optionof a full legal Will worth £199 witheach 50+ Life Cover policyTAXING TIMESWhether you’re married or not, you aretaxed separately. Each partner is entitledto a personal allowance when calculatinghow much income tax they must pay.However, in cases where at least oneperson in a married couple was born before6 April 1935, an additional married couple’sallowance can also be claimed.IN DEBT?Whether you are living together ormarried, you’re only liable for debtsthat are in your own name, butnot for any debts that are just inyour partner’s name. However,you may be responsible forthe whole of debts in jointnames and for other debtsfor which you have ‘joint andseveral’ legal responsibility,such as Council Tax.PENSIONED OFFwith a monthly premiumof £25 or more. Occupational pension schemesmust offer equal benefits for husbandsand wives. They also generally offer benefitsfor dependants. If you’re not married, you’llneed to complete an ‘expression of wishes’form, which states who you want benefitsto be paid to when you die.GET IT IN WRITINGYou can formalise your status with apartner by drawing up a legal agreementcalled a co-habitation contract. Thisoutlines the rights and obligations ofeach partner towards each other. It’s notclear whether living together agreementsare legally enforceable, but they can beuseful to remind a couple of their originalintentions. It’s also possible to make aseries of legally enforceable agreementson specific matters, for example, houseownership, but you’ll need legal advice.For lots more useful information, visitthe Citizens Advice website atwww.adviceguide.org.ukFor more about how Foresters can help you – visit www.forestersfriendlysociety.co.uk or call 08000 214 523