A change to intestacy law recently announced by the government has increased the sum of money that spouses and civil partners of people who die without having made a will are entitled to receive.

The change has been introduced via a statutory instrument – the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (Fixed Net Sum) Order 2020 – which came into force on 6 February. It means that the statutory legacy entitlement for a surviving spouse or civil partner has risen from £250,000 to £270,000.

It is important to remember that, under current intestacy laws, there is no provision for unmarried partners, or partners who are not in a civil partnership to inherit. Writing a will is essential to ensure your estate is handled in the way you desire.