If I died tomorrow: what happens?
Answer a few questions to see who would get your money, what inheritance tax your family would pay, and the gaps to fix now.
Your answer
Answer the questions to see who would get what.
About this calculator
For anyone in England or Wales who wants to know what would happen to their money and family if they died, and what to sort out now.
This is a guide, not legal advice. A solicitor should draw up your will.
What happens to your answers
We don’t keep them. Your answers go to our server to do the sums and aren’t stored or logged. If you copy a link to your answers, they’re in the link itself, so only share it with people you trust.
How it’s worked out
Without a will, a husband, wife or civil partner gets the personal possessions, the first £322,000 and half the rest, and the children share the other half. With no children, they get everything. An unmarried partner gets nothing, however long you've been together. With no partner, your children share everything, then your parents, brothers and sisters and wider family.
Some things pass outside your will: your share of a home owned as joint tenants, life insurance in trust and pensions. Inheritance tax looks at everything you own, less debts. The first £325,000 is tax-free, plus up to £175,000 for a home going to your children; what goes to a husband, wife or civil partner is tax-free. From 6 April 2027, unused pensions count too.
Worked example
Without a will, your partner would get nothing from the £250,000 in your own name.
England and Wales · no will · pensions to your children · no gifts in the last 7 years
| Savings and investments | £60,000 |
|---|---|
| Life insurance not in trust (paid into your estate) | £200,000 |
| Less debts, including the mortgage | − £10,000 |
| Shared out by the no-will rules | £250,000 |
| Your partner (not married, so nothing without a will) | £0 |
| Your children (held for them until 18) | £250,000 |
| Your 50% share of the home (joint tenants) goes straight to your partner | £200,000 |
| Pensions go to who you named with the provider (we assume your children) | £150,000 |
| For inheritance tax, everything you own after debts | £450,000 |
| Less the tax-free amount | − £325,000 |
| Inheritance tax if you died today | £50,000 |
| Inheritance tax if you died from 6 April 2027 (unused pensions count) | £110,000 |
Worked out using the no-will rules for England and Wales and HMRC's inheritance tax thresholds and rates. Not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Does my partner inherit if we're not married?
Not without a will. The no-will rules only include husbands, wives and civil partners. Your partner would have to claim in court. A will, owning your home as joint tenants and naming them for your pension and insurance all help.
Does getting married affect my will?
Yes. Getting married or forming a civil partnership cancels a will you made before. Make a new one.
Why put life insurance in trust?
A policy in trust pays out to the people you chose without waiting for probate, and isn't part of your estate for inheritance tax.
More free calculators
Talk to us about your tax.
A free call with the team. We’ll contact you within 24 hours.