Heartbreak as pregnant woman whose partner died could lose home

Sophie Williams was 32 years old when her partner Calan Smith died from cancer

A pregnant woman who lost her partner last month faces losing her home and business after he died without life insurance.

Sophie Williams's partner Calan Smith died in August, aged 34, from cancer.

The couple had not yet got life insurance as, in their early 30s, they thought they would not need it so soon.

Ms Williams runs her dog-grooming business from the home they shared, and the mortgage was in his name.

She cannot get a mortgage by herself and is facing maternity leave without support.

Her sister Amy Williams has urged people to think about getting life insurance.

"I think at any age it's very, very important, especially if you've got a property or any debts that you are leaving," Ms Williams said.

"I don't think we bought life insurance here at 32, we have it now because we have a child," she said and added people often think they are a bit "invincible" when they are younger.

It was "heart-breaking" her sister could potentially lose her home, which is solely in Calan's name, she said.

Sophie (right) and her sister Amy are both expecting children

Ms Williams, who is also expecting a baby, said her sister was living between the property and their parents' home in Leamington Spa, as they "looked at the figures" and how to help.

"We are all doing everything we can to explore every option and see what we can do to help," she said.

The property is now going through probate.

A friend of Amy's set up a GoFundMe page to help support Sophie, her new baby and the family in a bid to "help take any of Sophie's worries and stresses away".

"This should be the happiest time of their lives and now their whole world has been shattered by this cruel disease," said friend Hollie on the page.

What is life insurance?

• Life insurance pays out either a lump sum or regular payments on your death, giving your dependants financial support after you've gone

• The amount of money paid out depends on the level of cover you buy

• You decide how it's paid out and whether it will cover specific payments - such as mortgage or rent - or if it's to leave your family with an inheritance

Source: Money Helper

The property company Zoopla said if only one person is named on the mortgage and you're not married, then you may have no rights to the home.

Calan and his family were "over the moon" when the couple announced their pregnancy in May.

"Little did we know that a week-and-a-half later, it would turn so different ," Ms Williams said.

After experiencing chest pains and heart palpitations, Calan was transferred to hospital and later diagnosed with cancer of an unknown primary source (CUP).

Amy Williams and Calan got engaged when he was in Myton Hospice

CUP is where cancer spread has been found but doctors cannot find where the cancer started, Cancer Research UK said.

Mr Smith was transferred to Myton Hospice in Warwick and Sophie gave up work to be by his side. The couple also got engaged.

He died on 19 August.

With Sophie and Calan's baby girl expected in November, family and friends have raised more than £13,600 towards a target of £20,000 to support her business, maternity leave and home.