Being Civil
Civil partnerships are essentially an alternative to traditional marriage. They were enshrined in law in 2004 for use by same sex couples, but were expanded to include heterosexual couples in 2019. In England and Wales, civil partnerships provide legal rights and responsibilities that are similar to those provided by marriage, so the main difference is the lack of religious element in civil partnerships.
Like a marriage, consideration can be given to what should happen in the event of relationship breakdown. Legal advice and guidance can help couples create a pre-civil partnership agreement, setting out clearly the way in which assets and wealth should be divided at the point of separation. Also like a marriage, dissolution must be granted by a Court, and specific grounds for the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship must be demonstrated. Unlike marriage, however, adultery cannot be cited as grounds for the end of the relationship.
As civil partnerships are legal proceedings – in both their beginning and end – it is vital to seek expert legal advice and guidance. While it can seem strange and unnecessary to do so while you are planning to formalise your relationship as a civil partnership – in other words, while everything is going well – it is important to plan for all eventualities in the future. Just as every financial or property investment should be covered by insurance, so your investment in a civil partnership should be equally protected.
Scotts Hall & Birtles Solicitors is highly experienced in family law, including civil partnerships, and as committed members of Resolution (www.resolution.org.uk), we are dedicated to achieving non-confrontational dispute resolution in a way that is sensitive and discrete. This enables us to assist families in all their legal issues, helping them reach a conclusion that is acceptable to all involved, with their best interests protected.
Having had a presence in Catterick Garrison since the early 1970s, we fully understand and have extensive experience of the particular legal difficulties facing service personnel – including with regard to civil partnerships - be it in relation to pensions, or in respect to the potentially tricky area of moving postings, and taking children with you.
Scotts Hall & Birtles Solicitors offers a fixed fee 30-minute diagnostic appointment and, should you then instruct us to represent you in relation to that particular issue, that fee can be deducted from your first bill. We know that legal fees can be expensive, and are committed to helping you manage those fees as much as we can.
To learn more about how we can help with your Civil Partnership, please contact our team today.
