On 12-12-09 I lost my partner of 20 yrs to cancer she had been fighting this for several years,during this time her family paid little or no attention to her.How ever in the final weeks of her life they suddenly realized they had a mother who had a few assets and money. The family have stripped the house of every stick of furniture and any thing that could be moved even pot plants and firewood for next winter.
How was this possible one word in her will and a clever lawyer, she put to "my friend *** " the word friend was used to prove that I was just a flatmate not her partner.
So make sure you keep records of purchases and trust no one.

My sympathy on your loss vindi. Unfortunately I saw this type of thing regularly during my many years working in estates. I always advised the testator/testatrix to be very specific in their wording as there are many whose families lose all sense of decency when they see dollars signs. Never trust a second husband/wife to look after your kids because no matter what is promised, it won't happen. And never trust your kids to look after your second husband/wife, because, once again, it won't happen. Specify where every little thing, no matter how small, is to go.

Thank you for advice but its to late. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth but help from friends of my partner helped me through. It goes some way restoring my faith in people.

Do keep calling into this site,Vindiboy.There are wonderful and practical people such as old Kiwi kid above who understand,and there are some interesting threads to enjoy-may help you to keep going.It must be so hard for you as well as dealing with your loss,to have to cope with such a nasty,callous group of people.I could never believe it, until it happened to a relative who nursed her husband of 20 years throughout a year.She found he had never made a will.They were in a family farm situation and she was left with not even her own home on the farm which they had built.They had to leave.Fortunately she and her late husband had a beach cottage she was able to sell to make a new home for herself and the children,and her family helped where we could.
The farm was sold recently for millions-an unbelievable sum as there were hundreds of acres and several good homes, and she and the children never received anything even though they had worked on the farm.
It is so hard,Vindiboy, to get over the betrayal and bitterness-it is very real and natural emotion to have, so I hope you have some good friends to help you through it all.