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The law cries out for reform, and that reform should begin by excluding adult offspring from the benefit of the Act lock, stock and barrel. It should be available only to surviving widow(er)s and civil partners; minor children; and ex-spouses and ex-civil partners if death occurs within one year of the dissolution and either (1) there was an order in force in the matrimonial proceedings which did not exclude claims or (2) the matrimonial proceedings were pending.

(Readers will not be surprised to learn that I also favour a limitation of twelve months for matrimonial relief extendable only in the case where the Respondent did not know of the proceedings, service of the petition having been dispensed with.)