Entering into or ending a civil partnership can be an emotional and significant step to take. Whether you are looking for ways to formalise your relationship or advice on navigating a complex separation, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
Unfortunately, this is a notoriously complex area of the law, but working with civil partnership solicitors can empower you with clarity, reassurance and confidence in the process behind your civil partnership legal matter. As the legal framework and boundaries surrounding civil partnerships continue to evolve, our solicitors stay keenly up to date on all laws relating to finances, children, and property.
At Clifton Ingram, our civil partnership solicitors can support you at every stage, whether you are seeking to officially register a civil partnership, want advice on your rights as a couple, or are dealing with a contentious relationship breakdown. We prioritise your comfort and streamline the process, providing practical, effective solutions tailored to your needs.
In addition to our services concerning civil partnership, we also provide assistance with wider family law matters. For immediate support, please contact our team, or you can read our FAQS to learn more about civil partnership.
Contact our civil partnership solicitors in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham today
Our team work from offices in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham. We advise on civil partnerships in the UK all over Berkshire, as well as Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and further afield.
Speak to one of our civil partnership solicitors today by calling 0118 978 0099 or using the contact form at the bottom of the page, and we will respond quickly.
Why trust Clifton Ingram for civil partnership advice?
- One of the leading family law departments in the Thames Valley and M3 Corridor, through to Surrey and surrounding areas.
- Regularly providing advice to clients in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham and across all of Berkshire and the surrounding areas, including Bracknell, Theale, Henley, Ascot, Crowthorne, Maidenhead, Camberley, Farnborough and Windsor.
- Strong rankings in the impressive and respected client guide The Legal 500
- Decades of experience with finding resolutions for civil partnership disputes.
- Transparency on all costs and fees associated with legal assistance.
- Proactive approach to communication that keeps you in the loop all throughout your time with us.
- Impeccable service quality tailored to your needs.
Our civil partnership services
- Advising on your rights as a civil partner
- Drafting pre-partnership agreements
- Advising on finding grounds for a civil partnership dissolution
- Drawing up financial settlements in the event of a separation
- Negotiating on childcare arrangements, maintenance payments, and visitation
Advising on your rights as a civil partner
The rights of civil partners are broadly the same as married partners. However, it is still important that you understand your rights and how being in a civil partnership will differ from cohabitation, particularly when it concerns matters such as property ownership, financial responsibility and inheritance.
Our civil partnership solicitors can clearly outline your rights under civil partnership law, explain your legal options, and suggest steps you can take to ensure that you have all the information you need before taking the next step in your relationship and lives.
Drafting pre-partnership agreements
It is often very beneficial to enter into a civil partnership with a clear understanding of each party’s rights and responsibilities. A pre-partnership agreement, similar to a prenuptial agreement, is an advantageous way to set out expectations around finances, property, and children during and after cohabitation.
We can help you to draft an agreement that reflects your unique needs and circumstances and provides reassurance for the future. Our team are experts in civil partnership law and can give you the peace of mind knowing that you have planned for the future.
Advising on a civil partnership dissolution
If your relationship has irreparably broken down and you’re ending a civil partnership, you must understand the legal process you are facing. Similar to a divorce, the dissolution of a civil partnership requires that you take specific legal steps via a formal application.
Our civil partnership dissolution solicitors will assess your circumstances and advise on the process of a civil partnership dissolution, guiding you through each step from start to finish.
Drawing up financial settlements in the event of a separation
Civil partnership dissolution can often lead to contention around finances. Joint assets, savings, and future income arrangements can all become the subject of disagreement, slowing down the separation process and making a fair settlement seem impossible to reach.
Our financial matters solicitors are experts in dealing with the financial aspects of ending a civil partnership. We can assist with negotiations, represent you in court where required, and help you reach a resolution that protects your future security.
Negotiating on childcare arrangements, maintenance payments, and visitation
When there are children involved in a legal civil partnership dissolution, their welfare will be a priority. Establishing fair arrangements is crucial for the stability of your family unit.
Our child law solicitors will work closely with you to find practical and balanced childcare arrangements. We use direct negotiation as well as finding court-led solutions, and are committed to securing the best outcome for your children whilst respecting your rights as a parent.
Learn more about civil partnership
- What is a civil partnership?
- What do civil partnership solicitors do?
- What is the process for forming a civil partnership in England and Wales?
- Why would a straight couple want a civil partnership?
- What are my rights regarding property and assets in a civil partnership?
- What is the process for dissolving a civil partnership?
- What are the implications for children if a civil partnership dissolves?
What is a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is a kind of relationship that is not marriage but is still legally recognised, offering many similar responsibilities and rights such as property rights, tax benefits, parental responsibilities and pension entitlements. It was originally introduced in 2004 for same sex couples but has been made available to opposite-sex couples in England and Wales since December 2019.
What do civil partnership solicitors do?
Our civil partnership solicitors specialise in civil partnership rights, including the protocol for establishing your partnership and becoming legally recognised, offering insight into potential liabilities, and guidance on the legal implications of a partnership. They can also deal with the paperwork on behalf of a couple, such as drafting pre-relationship agreements, financial arrangements, and addressing childcare concerns in the event of a dissolution.
What is the process for forming a civil partnership in England and Wales?
In England and Wales, to form a civil partnership both parties must give formal notice of their intention to register at their local register office. This notice has to be given at least 28 days before the partnership can be registered, and only once this notice period has passed and the legal preliminaries are completed can the couple sign a civil partnership schedule before two witnesses and a registrar.
Why would a straight couple want a civil partnership?
Some heterosexual couples opt for a civil partnership as an alternative to marriage, often for philosophical, personal, or religious reasons. Marriage is not for everyone, nor for every union, and a civil partnership offers protections and benefits such as property rights, next-of-kin status, and property rights, without the connotations that marriage may carry.
What are my rights regarding property and assets in a civil partnership?
Individuals in a civil partnership have similar but not identical rights to married couples when it comes to property and assets. This includes the right to hold:
- Jointly owned property
- Financial support
- Pension sharing, and;
- Inheritance
In the event that the partnership is ended, either party can make claims for financial maintenance, lump sum payments, property sale or transfer, and pension sharing.
What is the process for dissolving a civil partnership?
The process for dissolving a civil partnership is different to a divorce but mirrors many of its key elements, such as having a no-fault process. The process in total is expected to take around 6 months, and the application to the court costs £612. The steps of the process are as follows:
- An application is made to the court for a dissolution, stating that the partnership has irretrievably broken down
- A 20-week reflection period begins from the date of the application
- After those 20 weeks, the individual who made the initial application can apply for a conditional order
- A 6-week wait starts after the conditional order, before;
- A Final Order is applied for and the civil partnership is legally ended.
What are the implications for children if a civil partnership dissolves?
When a civil partnership is dissolved and there are children involved, the court will prioritise the welfare and security of that child or children. Both civil partners have parental responsibility so long as they are the child’s legal parents, and arrangements will need to be made over how much time the children will spend with each parent and where they will live. If necessary, the court will issue a Child Arrangement Order.
Our Civil Partnership Solicitor’s fees
Clifton Ingram provides transparent, initial costs wherever we can, ensuring that you can commit to the fees involved in your service fully informed.
In some instances, we can gladly offer a fixed fee. If this is not possible, then we will provide a realistic fee range so that you can have a clear idea of your financial involvement.
To find out more about our civil partnership solicitor’s fees, please get in touch using the contact details below.
Contact our Civil Partnership Solicitors in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham today
Our team work from offices in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham. We advise on civil partnership in the UK all over Berkshire, as well as Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and further afield.
Speak to one of our civil partnership solicitors today by calling 0118 978 0099 or using the contact form at the bottom of the page and we will respond quickly.
Alternatively, talk to someone now via our .