Petition · past parliament · Home Office

Give unmarried long-term co-habiting couples an automatic right to inherit

Closed 165 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like the inheritance law changed to recognise couples not married or in a civil partnership, who have been living together for more than 2 years, and don't have a will.
In June 2020 my partner passed away unexpectedly, we were planning to get married in May but due to Covid we couldn't. I lived with my partner for 11 years but we never made a will, and now I face not inheriting the property we both worked for, as it was in his name and existing legislation favours any siblings.

Timeline

24 Feb 2021 Petition opened for signatures
24 Aug 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 165
Status Closed
Department Home Office
Opened 24 Feb 2021
Closed 24 Aug 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.