There is a wide spread belief in the UK of the existence of ‘common law’ marriage, that if a couple live together long enough they become ‘common law’ husband and wife and acquire similar rights to a married couple or civil partnership.
Under the new rules children of married partners may now receive less and distant relatives are less likely to inherit. The changes also close a loophole that meant adopted children missed out on inheriting from their natural parents’ estate.
It is safe to say that most people are aware of the existence of the national minimum wage. Introduced in 1999, it provides the minimum hourly rate which must be paid to adult employees in the UK.
