After divorce who is next of kin

If you wish your next of kin to inherit, and they are not your spouse, civil partner or a blood relative, you will need to specify your wishes in a legal will. For married couples, the spouse will always be considered next of kin, and technically this does not change if you are separated but not divorced.

So, in theory, your estranged but not divorced partner could potentially be making important life decisions for you. For many, that alone is a good reason to move forward with a formal divorce rather than just separating and going your own ways. To discuss any aspect of divorce, including appointment of next of kin, call us and book a free 30 minute consultation with our family law team.

Who exactly is your next of kin? Click here for a full list of third-party plugins used on this site. Search Search. Basildon Chelmsford Colchester Search our people. News and Events. Divorce Myth 9 - Once separated, your spouse ceases to be your legal next of kin. What if I die and have not divorced? How can I protect my share of our house? How long does it take to severe a joint tenancy?

How can I protect myself from my ex seeking monies in the future? Comments Post a comment! Watch our latest video. Facebook Linkedin Twitter Instagram.

Your choice regarding cookies on this site Clicking the Accept All button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies check the full list. The next of kin is also responsible for applying for probate when someone dies without a will. Once the application has been sent to the probate registry and approved, the next of kin will be named as the administrator of the estate.

If you're the next of kin and need help applying for probate, call Farewill today on for a free, no obligation quote. Note: If the person who died did write a will , the executors of the will are responsible for applying for probate.

Spouse is a word used to describe the husband or wife in relation to their married partner. When there is a bereavement, the surviving spouse usually takes responsibility for arranging the funeral — often with the help of their adult children.

If the person who died didn't make a will, the spouse will also need to apply for a grant of letters of administration. You can find out more about this at who can apply for probate. Article reviewed 15 September What happens if I can't afford a funeral?

Skip navigation. Guides Arranging a funeral. Matt Morgan Head of Funerals. How does the NHS define next of kin? Who is the next of kin when someone dies? Does the next of kin need to pay for the funeral?