Death of separated spouse?

LegacyUser

Hi all. I'm legally separated from my husband for eight years. He lives nearby, has someone in his life but not living in the same city. We have two grownup children living away. He and I are reasonably amicable but not in close contact.

Recently my ex has been having a lot of ill health, seems to be dealing with it mostly on his own, and I'm beginning to get worried about what happens if he becomes hospital bound or if it becomes terminal, and what happens if he dies.

What duties and responsibilities do I have to my ex?

I don't know if I have any legal duties seeing as in a sense we're still married; any duties of care if he gets very ill; any funeral or estate responsibilities etc if he dies. Who's his next of kin when he's in hospital - does he pick someone or is it legally defined? The hospital didn't want to tell me anything when he was there recently. Any idea where I could find this out online or do I need to make an appointment with a solicitor?

Besides all that, what about custom and practice and moral responsibility? Do I stand back and leave our children to bury their Dad? Who decides how and where he's buried? Have I any role? I suppose if I died, I'd want the children to bury me, not him, so maybe that answers my question. I doubt if he has made any will or arrangements and I don't know how I'd find out. I suppose I need to think about it for me too, for when I die. If it came to it, what's my position at his funeral?? Maybe in reality it would work itself out, between children, family and girlfriend.

I feel it would be heartless to stay out of it if he becomes very ill, both towards him and towards the children, but maybe I've no place there.

Has anyone any experience of any of this?

Payton

Your not heartless your concern is in the way your worded your post.
If he is in ill health ask your children about their concerns for their father and explain your concern also. If you both are amicable could you ask him?

Legally if he has a will made he has his wishes planned out. Maybe a visit with a solicitor would clarify where you stand but I'm I'm sure your excluded from his estate through separation so his next of kin (your children) would benefit from his estate.