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Civil Partnership Dissolution Lawyers - Legal Advice For Ending a Civil Partnership Agreement

Ending a relationship is never easy, so when it comes to dissolving your civil partnership, the legal and financial implications can add to the strain you are already under, as you seek to address the numerous practical issues which need to be resolved.

At Lanyon Bowdler, our family law specialists and expert Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors can assist you with the decisions you are facing and help you to find an amicable and straight-forward route through your separation, that allows you to move on with your life and provides you with reassurance and financial security for the future.

How Do I End A Civil Partnership?

If both parties are in full agreement, dissolving your civil partnership can be a simple process. However, where there are disagreements about matters such as children and division of assets, you will need further legal advice to help you find an agreement and ensure that your interests and finances are fully protected.

Ending the legal agreement between civil partners is very similar to the divorce process.

An application will need to be made to the court by either or both parties.

With the introduction of No Fault Divorce under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, there is no longer a need to prove the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship. Couples can apply jointly or solely, and a process that used to take years and was filled with acrimony and legal confrontations can now be completed in a matter of months.

Of course, complications are still common, especially surrounding children arrangements and financial settlements, so this is where the assistance of an experienced Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitor becomes invaluable.  

If you are looking for legal support in relation to ending a civil partnership, contact Lanyon Bowdler today.

You can find more information about the new legislation on our Guide to No Fault Divorce.

How Did No Fault Divorce Affect Civil Partnerships?

Before April 2022, the only way to successfully obtain a civil partnership dissolution was to apply for either a Dissolution Order or a Separation Order. Separating spouses would have needed to provide evidence to the court proving their relationship had irretrievably broken down by meeting one of the following criteria.

Desertion

If your partner had left you without mutual agreement and had been gone for at least two years, you could have applied to dissolve your civil partnership, without your partner’s consent.

Separation With Consent

If you had been separated for at least two years and both you and your partner agreed, you could have applied to the court for a Dissolution Order.

Separation Without Consent

If your partner wouldn’t agree to end your civil partnership but you had been living separately for at least five years then you would have been entitled to apply to the court to dissolve your partnership, even without their consent.

Unreasonable Behaviour

This was the most common reason cited in applications for dissolution and covers behaviour such as adultery, physical or emotional abuse and the use of financial control.

The petitioner would have been required to provide information including:

  • The date you entered into the civil partnership

  • Your last address as a couple

  • Details of any children you have

The dissolution would have then taken anywhere between three and five months to be finalised.

How Can Solicitors Help with a Civil Partnership Dissolution?

Our team of family law experts can help you with all the documentation and evidence required to successfully apply for a civil partnership dissolution.

Clear and regular communication is key in helping you to feel calm and in control, and we will provide you with regular updates and clear advice to keep you fully informed throughout. Our aim is to make the legal process as easy as possible so that you are able to reach a satisfactory conclusion and begin to get your life back on track.

We are experts in collaborative law and can help you to find a positive outcome through negotiation and discussion. We have an excellent track record of success with this approach and can also connect you to some of the top mediator’s in the area if required, to help you avoid lengthy and costly court proceedings. Securing you a quick and amicable resolution is our number one priority to reduce any antagonism and upset, particularly when there are children involved.

We are also able to assist you with:

Finances

We can help you to reach a fair and reasonable financial settlement and will draft all the legal paperwork to provide clarity on the division of your assets, to avoid any confusion on either side. Your finances can be divided in a number of different ways following your civil partnership dissolution and there will be many things for you to consider including:

  • Lump sum payments

  • Ownership of a property

  • Maintenance payments

  • Pension payments

Childcare Arrangements

At Lanyon Bowdler, we encourage the use of collaborative law as the most effective way of deciding appropriate living and contact arrangements for your children. We will act in the best interests of your children themselves and will provide you with dedicated legal advice and support throughout the negotiations as we strive to come to a swift and amicable agreement.

No two relationships are the same but we are prepared for the numerous and wide-ranging issues that can surface. We will provide you with a fully personalised and bespoke service that will address the specific issues affecting you and your civil partnership dissolution. For example:

  • If you have any children

  • Your financial needs

  • The earnings and assets of each party

  • The financial and non-financial contributions that each of you brought to the partnership such as mortgage and bill payments and caring for children.

Our Expertise           

Lanyon Bowdler’s position as one of the region’s leading family law firms is recognised throughout the legal industry. We are included in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for recommended law firms.

Lanyon Bowdler is known for its excellent customer service and for achieving the very best results possible for all its clients, but don’t just take our word for it. Please do get in touch and find out how we can help you.

Legal Cost

We are always completely upfront about our legal fees so that there are no surprises further along the line. We offer a choice of different payment plans, which we will discuss with you to help find the right option and make sure that you are happy with everything before we proceed.

Contact Us

As one of the leading full-service law firms in the region, we have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford and represent clients both locally and nationally.

Our Family Law Solicitors act on behalf of clients across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and throughout the Midlands, including Birmingham and Wolverhampton, but our reputation as one of the country’s leading family law firms means that we also successfully represent clients nationally.

By instructing Lanyon Bowdler you can be certain that you will receive honest, helpful and reliable advice from the experts you can trust. For further advice on any aspect of your same sex marriage or civil partnership contact us today by phone or by completing the online enquiry form.

When it comes to planning for the future, you don’t want to wait. One of our helpful Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors will be ready to deal with your enquiry and will be on hand to discuss how we can help you further.

Testimonials

Fantastic law firm - used Lanyon Bowdler for conveyancing & for legal advice - both solicitors I worked with were effective & professional. Law firm were fast & responsive to queries & clear pricing. Would recommend.   

- Samantha, Via Review Solicitors

Impressed by the efficiency and how they took control of our case. We don't have much of an understanding regarding solicitors and the legal system, but we were led through the whole process very well. We always felt we were in good hands.

- Mrs R Lutwyche, Shrewsbury

I was impressed with the efficiency and welcome of staff. Excellent office layout and service.  

- Mrs S James & Mr W Parkinson, Telford

A warm welcome from the receptionist. Extremely impressed by all that have helped us, peace of mind for our future.

- Mr M Court & Mrs A May, Shrewsbury

Always very efficient in dealing with the workload and advice given in divorce. Would highly recommend the service I received. 

- Mrs Suzanne Purvin

Knowledge and information given was accurate and realistic.

- Mrs Eleanor Margaret Howells, Hereford

Very efficient, pleasant and fully explained. I am well satisfied.

- Mr Stephen Turner, Oswestry

Friendly atmosphere and very professional attitude. 

- Mr Sidney Jolliffe, Oswestry

Case Studies

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