- Wisbech
01945 464331 - Thetford
01842 756100 - Kings Lynn
01553 778100 - Peterborough
01733 865880
Civil Partnership
If your Civil Partnership does not work out, we can help you dissolve it. The procedure is basically the same as in a divorce.
What legal criteria can lead to a dissolution of a Civil Partnership ?
You no longer need to prove fault or a period of separation in order to have a Civil Partnership dissolved. The court will accept your declaration that the Civil Partnership has broken down and your partner will not be able to oppose that. There are very limited grounds to oppose the dissolution, which relate to whether the court has jurisdiction or whether the Civil Partnership was a valid one.
We can advise you and guide you through the process of dissolution whether you are the person applying or the respondent . You may also need advice about financial and children issues.
What are the stages of Dissolution of a Civil Partnership?
The stages are:
- Application for a Dissolution
- Conditional Order
- Final Order
What is an Application for Dissolution ?
The process is started by the Application for Dissolution.
Once the Application has been sent by the Court, it is issued and has to be sent to your partner. There is then a 20 week period before any further steps can be taken in the divorce itself, but children and financial matters can be progressed during that time.
What is a Conditional Order?
The next and most important part of the Dissolution process is known as the Conditional Order. This is the first stage of the actual Dissolution. It is granted only when a Judge has reviewed all of the papers and is satisfied that they are in order, that the other person has been made aware of the application and that you are entitled to the dissolution.
What is a Final Order?
The final stage is called the Final Order. When you receive this, the Civil Partnership is dissolved and you are free to enter another Civil Partnership or to marry.
What will it cost ?
We offer a fixed fee of £650 + VAT. There is also a court fee of £573, although many people are exempt from paying all of that and you can apply to the court for a full or partial reduction which will depend upon your income and capital. For more information on costs please visit the page on Costs For Family Law Services
What are the issues surrounding finances in the dissolution of Civil Partnerships?
The issues surrounding finances in the dissolution of Civil Partnership are basically the same as for a divorce. For more information on finances in divorce please visit our page on Finances.
What happens to the child of someone in a Civil Partnership?
If arrangements cannot be agreed, both parties to a Civil Partnership can apply to the court for child arrangement orders to decide the time that the children spend with each of them, and for orders regarding specific issues where they disagree. For more information on children please visit our page on Children.