The only certain way to ensure that your spouse, civil partner or close relative, etc. inherit what you intend is by making a Will. Partners who are separated informally can still inherit under the rules of intestacy. Cohabiting partners who are not married or civil partners cannot inherit under the rules on intestacy. If there are surviving children, grandchildren or great grandchildren of the person who died and (on current figures) the estate is valued at more than £270,000, the partner will inherit all the property and belongings of the person who died and the first £270,000 of the estate and half of the remaining estate.