The reported death today of the Oscar winning actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, once again illustrates that whilst death is inevitable for all it is also very unpredictable . At the age of 46 who would have expected the inevitable to occur. How many of us would think to have made a Will by that age to protect what assets we have acquired and to ensure that they reach our loved ones. In this actors case he was apparently not married to his partner with whom he had three children. Without a Will the partner will inherit nothing under English Law.
David Dexter says that ‘This is a typical example where a Will is vital to ensure the inheritance of a person’s estate reaches their loved ones. In current situations where many couples live together but remain unmarried a Will is essential to protect both partner and children of the partnership.