Warning issued to any couples in the UK who live together but aren’t married

Martin Lewis has issued a warning to couples who live together but aren't married, after making revelations about what it means for partners when their significant other dies.

Understandably, marriage isn't always at the top of the list of priorities for young couples in 2025.

At a time when houses have never cost so much and the price of everyday items seems to be continually increasing, being able to splash the cash on a wedding has never felt so out of reach for many of us.

But it seems there may actually be a less-known financial benefit of being married to your long-time partner, which Martin Lewis is warning people about.

Of course, no one is suggesting to get married for money, that's most probably going to end in tears.

But for long-term partners who don't plan on getting married any time soon, the advice might be worth noting.

Couples who live together but aren't married have been warned (Getty Stock Image)

The UK law explained

As per UK inheritance law, a partner has no status unless they are in a civil partnership or married to their significant other.

This means if your partner did pass away, you may end up with nothing.

For example, even if you'd both shared a house for a long time, and it's not rightfully yours, you have no status to claim it unless legally tied to them.

A majorly old-fashioned concept, I know.

Lewis went on to stress just how necessary it is to deal with such 'unpleasant issues' and to be as 'blunt' and 'candid' as possible.

But there are options, whether it be writing a will, getting married or being in a civil partnership.

And it isn't just the UK where these rules apply.

Martin Lewis has issued some important advice (Getty Stock Image)

How does the same thing work in the US?

Similar laws can also be found across the pond in America, where 'unmarried couples need a power of attorney to access accounts if their accounts or assets are not held in both their names' (Via City National Bank).

Senior wealth planner with City National Bank, Chris Van Atta, said: "If your partner isn't your spouse, you need to take some extra steps to protect each other.

"You need to have some documents in place that will put appropriate people in charge to manage your health care and financial decisions if you become incapacitated or after you pass away."

A Power of Attorney is both a legal concept in the UK and the US, and it gives a close loved-one the power to make decisions on your behalf.

For example, if you end up being diagnosed with dementia and lose the mental capacity to make sound decisions on your own, your trusted person can step in.

The idea is that they have your best interests at heart, and know what you would want in each scenario.