Civil Partnerships

Striving For An Amicable End To Your Civil Partnership

Since the Civil Partnership Act came into effect in 2004, gay and lesbian couples who commit to a partnership have shared virtually identical legal rights as couples in a marriage when it comes to legal areas such as tax, inheritance, pensions and employment law. This means that in the unfortunate event that you need to dissolve your civil partnership the process will be similar to obtaining a divorce – and that you should contact our family lawyers for professional advice and guidance from the outset.

There are choices open to you should you wish to discontinue your civil partnership, and each one carries different criteria and implications which our expert solicitors will discuss in detail with you. You may want to gain dissolution of your partnership or a separation, depending on your personal circumstances – and with our help you should be able to do so through negotiation rather than the courts.

If you want a dissolution order for you civil partnership, the process is similar to a divorce. You start by filing a petition stating grounds for dissolution, and go through the various stages which include applying for a conditional order (similar to a Decree Nisi) and a final order (Decree Absolute equivalent). We will support and advise you at every step of the way, to make the process as stress-free and straightforward as possible, with our family lawyers able to mediate when needed.

It is vital that you’re fully informed of the law surrounding civil partnerships and of your rights and responsibilities.

We can help you whether you are the one making the petition to end the partnership or the one receiving the petition, as our civil partnership lawyers have experience of working with both petitioners and respondents in a wide range of cases and have the necessary expertise to provide you with sound financial advice as to any financial matters or arrangements for children.

How Our Civil Partnership Lawyers Can Help You

At HLF Berry we appreciate that situations and people change, often despite your best intentions or actions, and civil partnerships occasionally encounter obstacles which are hard to overcome. We have the experience and practical legal knowledge to help you make the decisions that are right for you and your individual circumstances.

The dissolution of civil partnerships is naturally emotional and often traumatic, which is why we work both smartly and sensitively with clients. Regardless of whether you are petitioning for dissolution, the recipient of a petition or simply seeking a separation, we are here to help you – using our mix of effective communication and negotiation skills, family law knowledge, and responsive support.

In addition to guiding you through the legal process of dissolving your partnership, or gaining a separation agreement , we will advise and support with all related matters.

For an initial consultation with one of our expert civil partnership lawyers, contact us today. Every aspect of your situation will be taken into account in any legal advice we offer, ensuring you are given the best chance of making the decisions that are right for you.