Civil Partnership Come End

How Does a Civil Partnership Come to an End?Civil partnerships naturally come to an end if your partner passes away. If you choose to end your civil partnership before that, there are 3 legal ways you can go about it:

1. Dissolution OrderIf you or your partner wishes to dissolve the civil partnership, you must apply to the court for permission. A dissolution order is much like getting a divorce in a marriage. The partnership must have lasted at least a year before you can apply.

You must also prove that your relationship has broken down irretrievably. The grounds for dissolution include:

• Unreasonable behaviour: Your partner has behaved in such a way that you cannot reasonably be expected to live with them
• Desertion: Your partner has deserted you for a continuous period of at least two years
• Two years' separation with consent: You have lived apart for at least two years and both agree to the dissolution
• Five years' separation: You have lived apart for at least five years (consent not required)

The Process: To apply for a dissolution, you must fill in forms that can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice website or your nearest family court.

If you and your partner agree to the dissolution, the process will be simple and completed within 6 weeks. However, if your partner does not agree, you should seek legal advice and may need legal aid to cover the cost of your court fees.

2. Separation OrderIf you want to take some time away from your partner, but don't want to dissolve the partnership, you can apply for a separation order.

Key Points:

• You don't have to wait for a year to apply - you can apply whenever you feel the need to
• You won't be able to register a new civil partnership or marry unless you get a dissolution order
• The grounds for getting a separation are the same as for a dissolution order
• If you've applied for a separation and later want a dissolution, you can use the same grounds for both applications

3. AnnulmentYou can get an annulment in court if your partnership is no longer legally valid. There are specific requirements for entering a partnership, such as being a certain age or not already being in a registered relationship.

When the court grants an annulment, it will fall into 2 categories:

• Void Partnership: The partnership was never legally valid from the start
• Voidable Partnership: The partnership was initially valid but can be annulled due to specific circumstances

Time Limits: Most annulment applications must be made within three years of registration.

Financial ConsiderationsSimilar to divorce, civil partnership dissolution involves:

• Division of assets and property
• Potential maintenance payments
• Arrangements for any children
• Pension considerations

Expert Legal SupportIf you're looking to end a civil partnership, or would like to know more about your options and rights, call our family law team on: 0116 2999 199 or email us at: info@d-w-s.co.uk