Health and sickness
Next of kin
The law does not generally use this term; however if you are not married or not in a civil partnership you may find that hospitals and other such official bodies do not accept your involvement in the affairs of your partner, however long the relationship. These bodies will give more recognition to married and civil partnered couples.
Most medical practitioners will be sensitive to the issue and will understand that, should you need medical treatment, you will want you partner involved, whether you are married, civil partnered, or not. It may be helpful to have a document stating that you would wish your partner to be consulted and involved.
Advicenow's guide on
'next of kin' can be found here.
Consent to medical treatment
If you are too ill to give your consent to a medical procedure, the law states that nobody can give consent on your behalf. Treatment would be given according to what would be in your best interests and best clinical practice.
Life Insurance
Unlike pensions there are no rules about the beneficiaries of life insurance. This is a good way for unmarried or uncivil partnered couples to protect each other's interests. If each of you take out a life insurance policy, it is possible to write it 'in trust' and nominate the person you would like to benefit in the event of your death. Doing this is particularly helpful for unmarried or uncivil partnered people because the proceeds of the life policy are not counted as part of the assets on which you pay Inheritance Tax.
Some companies rate ‘single’ men as more of a liability than women or married/civil partnered men and will routinely charge them a higher premium.
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