From December 2019 opposite sex partners can register their relationship as Civil Partners. Same sex couples have been able to do this since 5th December 2005. Partners can register their relationship to give it legality, and obtain similar legal rights afforded to married partners. At Family Law Solutions Solicitors we are fully conversant with the Civil Partnership laws. We deal with these matters sensitively and constructively to assist couples to understand their legal rights.
Civil Partnerships Lawyers Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
Registration of Civil Partnership
Couples can register their Civil Partnership at any authorised Registry. Each party to the Partnership must be of the same sex, not already married or a Civil Partner, over 16 years of age, not within prohibited degrees of the relationship and lived in England and Wales seven days prior to giving notice of registration.
They must sign a Partnership document in the presence of each other, two witnesses and the Registrar. These people must, in turn, also sign the document to make the Partnership legally binding.
Contact our Civil Partnership Lawyers Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
At Family Law Solutions Solicitors we can assist with this relatively new area of law. To speak to our Civil Partnership Lawyers call us on 0800 2888 396 or contact us.
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Legal Rights for Civil Partners
Once registered, Civil Partners will have certain legal rights:
- A legal duty to provide maintenance for their Civil Partner and any children of the family.
- The right to be treated as next of kin in all kinds of legal situations i.e. the hospital.
- Apply for Fatal Accidents Compensation.
- To be treated the same as married heterosexual couples for the purposes of all taxation laws and life assurance.
- To be treated the same as married heterosexual couples for the purposes of Wills, intestacy and inheritance laws.
- Apply for the same remedies as married heterosexual couples under domestic abuse legislation.
- Recognition of the relationship for the purposes of immigration and nationality.
This list is not exhaustive and specialist legal advice should be sought for further information.
Dissolution of a Civil Partnership
A Civil Partnership can be dissolved by way of a Dissolution Order, Nullity Order, Presumption of Death Order or Separation Order.
The grounds for dissolution are the same as for divorce in that one can cite unreasonable behaviour, two years separation, five years separation or two years desertion.
Financial Provision when a Civil Partnership is dissolved
Civil Partners can request the Court to make the following financial Orders:
- The transfer of a property and/or tenancy.
- The sale of a property.
- To order a lump sum.
- To earmark or split a pension.
- Verify any financial agreement made before a marriage.
- Place a Legal Charge over a property.
- Maintenance for either spouse or child/dependant.
The Courts will use the same legal factors in financial settlements, to decide what is fair in a Civil Partnership dispute.
Children and Civil Partners
Civil Partnership laws have made significant amendments to existing Children Act laws.
Civil Partners can:
- Acquire Parental Responsibility.
- Appoint a Guardian, if they have Parental Responsibility.
- Apply for child maintenance and contact the Child Maintenance Service.
- Adopt children.
- Apply for Children Arrangement Orders, and Prohibited Steps and Specific Issues Orders.
Again, this list is not exhaustive and further legal advice should be sought.
At Family Law Solutions Solicitors we can assist with this relatively new area of law. Come and talk to us on 0800 2888 396 or contact us