My partner of 38yrs passed away March 2021 but didn't leave a will. The law states that if a couple aren't married & the deceased hasn't made a will the surviving partner is entitled to nothing. I was also his soul carer as he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. We had no children neither his parents are alive or Aunt's & Uncles therefore his estate to be shared to wider family who other than one cousin NEVER visited or helped us financially when 2 yrs previous his PIP  benefits being reduced significantly. I appreciate there is paperwork in place like a will or marriage certificate however with a life debilitating illness like Parkinson's, confusion & self confidence only scraps the surface of this illness. He was sure that this length of partnership would see me safe as he knew this disease would take him earlier than predicted.