Man entitled to 45% of dead partner’s estate

A 64-year-old man is entitled to 45% of his deceased partner’s €1.41m estate under civil partnership law despite her three brothers’ objections, the High Court has ruled. The woman died from cancer last year aged 69. She did not leave a will.

The man asked the court to make financial provision for him from her estate under the 2010 Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations Cohabitants Act.

The youngest brother, supported by his siblings, argued that the man did not qualify as he was just a close friend, not a cohabitee.