Civil Partnership Dissolution

Dissolution of Civil Partnership

Since 2005, same-sex couples have been able to form a Civil Partnership to formalise their commitment to each other.

Under Civil Partnership law, couples can now convert their Civil Partnership into a same-sex marriage if they so wish.

However, Civil Partnerships remain a legal commitment, which can only end if dissolved, annulled or if one party dies.

When couples form a Civil Partnership they acquire legal rights, including financial support obligations to a partner and obligations to support any children of the relationship

As a result, there may be dispute over child care arrangements and maintenance after the dissolution of a Civil Partnership as well as disputes over division of financial assets such as pensions and investments and division of property and housing arrangements.

Civil partnerships can also apply to couples where one party is not a British national or lives or works overseas as in international marriage.

Because of this, dissolving a Civil Partnership or separating from a partner can involve complex legal negotiations, including negotiations over:

• Child and children custody
• Child contact access arrangements
• Children and finances
• Financial support for a partner who is unemployed or disabled
• Housing and property issues
• Jurisdictional issues (if one partner is a foreign national or works overseas)
• Parental Responsibility
• Pensions

In some cases, dissolving a Civil Partnership may also involve:

• Domestic violence
• Domestic violence against children
• International child abduction.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of family law and child care solicitors able to advise on dissolution of a Civil Partnership and resolving disputes between couples, including offering lawyers supported Family Mediation and Child Mediation.

Fixed Fees & Legal Aid

Duncan Lewis offers same-sex couples a fixed fee for dissolving a Civil Partnership and if required an initial fixed fee to discuss any issues which are the subject of dispute i.e., financial matters ancillary to the dissolution of the Civil Partnership. All further work would be dealt with by way of competitive hourly rates.

In cases where there is evidence of domestic violence and/or domestic violence involving children, or child protection matters involving Social Services, it is usually possible to apply for Legal Aid to cover the cost of legal fees.

For confidential and expert legal advice on dissolving a Civil Partnership, contact Duncan Lewis Solicitors on 033 3772 0409.