Civil partnerships puts gay and lesbian couples in the same legal position as married couples. This means having the same rights and responsibilities in respect of tax, state benefits, pensions, inheritance and immigration. It also means that any children born to one civil partner are treated as the children of the family.
We can advise you about the legal effect of a civil partnership, if this is something you are thinking about. We can also help you draw up a pre-registration agreement.
If you are a civil partner and your relationship breaks down you may need to apply for dissolution of the civil partnership. This is like a divorce, in terms of legal procedure and legal effect. You are not entitled to enter into a new civil partnership or marry until your existing civil partnership has been dissolved. Dissolution proceedings entitle you to apply for a financial settlement (which you can do on an agreed basis, if it is possible to negotiate a settlement).
You may have problems in your relationship and want to separate for a while, without wanting to dissolve your civil partnership. We can advise you on ways of managing a separation.
If you have children and cannot agree on arrangements for them, you can apply to the court under the Children Act 1989 (whether or not you are in a civil partnership) for orders in relation to your children.
If you want to discuss any these issues please contact Nicola Harmon.
