Buying your first home together is such an exciting milestone. You’ve done the hard work - saving the deposit, finding the one, sorting the mortgage - and now you’re holding the keys to a place that’s truly yours.
But amid all the excitement, there’s one thing many couples forget to think about: what would happen if one of you passed away?
It’s not a happy thought, but it’s an important one. Because without a will, your partner might not inherit your share of the home - even after years of building a life together.
Let’s look at how this can unfold in real life.
Mark and Sarah’s Story
Mark and Sarah had been together for 15 years. They weren’t married, didn’t have children, and were in their early 40s. They’d built a life together, shared bills, and eventually bought their dream home in a village close to Reading.
Because they wanted to be fair - and because they each contributed different amounts to the deposit - they bought the house as tenants in common, each owning a 50% share.
They had every intention of writing their wills “soon,” but like many couples, life got busy, and it never happened.
Then tragedy struck. Sarah died suddenly and unexpectedly.
When There’s No Will
Because Sarah hadn’t made a will, her estate was distributed under the rules of intestacy - the legal system that decides who inherits when someone dies without a will.
And here’s the heart-breaking part: since Sarah and Mark weren’t married, Mark wasn’t legally entitled to inherit anything.
Sarah had no siblings, so her only living relative - her father - inherited her estate. That included her 50% share of the home she and Mark had shared for years.
The Heartbreak of Intestacy
Sarah’s father didn’t want to own half a house. He was retired and living on a pension; he couldn’t afford the mortgage payments. Mark couldn’t afford to buy him out, and the bank wouldn’t let him take on the mortgage alone.
In the end, Mark had no choice but to sell the home he and Sarah had built together.
All because there was no will.
Why a Will Matters When You Buy a Home
Mark and Sarah’s story isn’t rare - it’s something we see time and again. When you buy a home together, your financial lives become intertwined. Without a will, you leave that connection vulnerable to laws that might not reflect your wishes.
A will ensures that your share of the home - and everything else you own - goes to the person you choose. It can also:
- Protect your partner from losing their home
- Prevent painful disputes between family members
- Simplify financial matters like mortgages and debts
- Give you both peace of mind
If you’re not married or in a civil partnership, this step is vital. Everyone buying a home needs to understand that UK law does not automatically recognise unmarried partners when it comes to inheritance, no matter how long you’ve been together.
Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common
When you buy a home together, you’ll usually choose between two types of ownership:
- Joint Tenants – You both own the whole property equally. If one of you dies, the other automatically inherits the entire home, no matter what any will says.
- Tenants in Common – You each own a defined share (often 50/50). Your share becomes part of your estate when you die, and it only passes under a will - or through intestacy if there isn’t one.
Being tenants in common gives flexibility - but it also makes a will absolutely essential.
Don’t Leave It to Chance
If you’re buying your first home, or you already own one together, now is the perfect time to put a will in place. It’s not just a legal formality - it’s an act of protection.
Savigny Consulting have years of experience helping people of all stripes create wills that protect them and their loved ones. Because, we don’t just prepare documents - we provide reassurance, security, and support for you and your family, both now and in the future.
Our friendly team can help you understand how your property ownership works, guide you through creating a will that reflects your wishes, and make sure your home - and your loved ones - are protected, whatever happens.
Ready to protect your home and your future?
Whether you’ve just bought your first home or need to protect what you already own, Savigny Consulting is here to help. Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation and discover how simple it can be to secure your home, your wishes, and your family’s future.