Family
Legal cases involving the breakdown of a civil partnership are often some of the most emotionally demanding and legally complex experiences you will face. Having clear guidance and steady support from experienced civil partnership dissolution solicitors ensures you can move forward with certainty and security regardless of circumstances.
At Roythornes, our specialist civil partnership solicitors appreciate that every relationship and separation is unique. We work with you to handle the legal process with care while addressing your immediate and long-term concerns. Our focus is on achieving fair, workable solutions that allow you to take the next steps in your life with confidence.
Boasting substantial experience in this area, our specialist family law team provides advice tailored to your personal circumstances. A significant amount of work comes from client recommendations, reflecting our expertise in the dissolution of civil partnerships and our personable approach to every one of our clients.
At Roythornes, our civil partnership dissolution team advises on a wide range of issues that can arise when ending a civil partnership, including:
If you are considering the dissolution of a civil partnership or need advice about your rights and options, our friendly team are here to help. Contact us today to speak directly with one of our specialist civil partnership lawyers in Alconbury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Langham or Spalding.
At Roythornes, our family law team is renowned across the region for their excellent work and fantastic client relations. Our work in civil partnership dissolution cases ranges from straightforward applications to complex disputes involving high-value assets, business interests, or international considerations.
Many dissolutions involve financial settlements that go beyond dividing household savings. Our expert team of lawyers can assist you with:
We are accredited by Resolution and recognised for our constructive, client-focused approach. Our expert civil partnership solicitors can advise on dissolving a civil partnership, securing a financial settlement, or handling contested applications, always keeping your goals at the forefront whilst preserving relationships at every turn.
We encourage agreement through negotiation and mediation wherever possible, helping you avoid the cost and stress of lengthy litigation. However, when court involvement is required, we can provide robust representation, ensuring your case is presented with clarity and strength.
To apply for a civil partnership dissolution in England and Wales, you must demonstrate that the partnership has irretrievably broken down. Since April 2022, the law introduced “no-fault” dissolution, which means you do not have to prove reasons such as unreasonable behaviour or separation.
Instead, a simple statement that the relationship has broken down irretrievably is sufficient. This reform was designed to reduce conflict and allow both partners to move on without assigning blame.
The process begins by filing an application (now usually online) with the family court. You can apply jointly with your partner or individually. Once the court issues the application, the other party has 14 days to acknowledge receipt.
If the application is uncontested, the court will move towards granting a conditional order. After a minimum waiting period of six weeks, you can apply for the final order which legally ends the partnership.
Alongside the dissolution itself, you may need to address financial issues. These are not resolved automatically and require a separate financial order, either by agreement or court decision.
There is a fixed court fee payable to start the dissolution process. In addition, legal fees vary depending on whether the application is straightforward or whether there are contested issues relating to finances or children.
For uncontested dissolutions with no disputes, costs are generally predictable and modest. However, complex financial claims involving businesses, pensions, or international property can involve greater expense, particularly if court proceedings are required.
Most uncontested dissolutions take approximately six to seven months from application to final order. However, this timeline does not include financial matters, which may take longer to resolve depending on the complexity of the case and whether agreement can be reached. Our solicitors can ensure that the complexities are ironed out smoothly so you can focus on the future.
The dissolution itself does not divide assets. To achieve a clean break, you will need a financial order approved by the court. This can include the transfer or sale of property, division of savings and investments, pension sharing, and maintenance arrangements.
The court considers several factors, including:
Reaching a civil partnership dissolution financial settlement is crucial to prevent future claims. Even after dissolution, either partner may be able to make financial claims unless a legally binding financial order is in place.
The legal dissolution process does not decide how children will be affected. Instead, parents are encouraged to reach agreements about where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent, and how decisions are made about their upbringing.
If an agreement cannot be reached, the court can make child arrangements orders. The welfare of the children is always the court’s primary consideration, meaning that decisions are made to support their best interests and stability.
Yes, it is possible to apply for the dissolution of a civil partnership in England and Wales even if your partner is abroad. Jurisdiction will usually be based on where you or your partner are habitually resident or domiciled.
The process may involve additional steps to ensure your partner receives notice of the application, and enforcement of financial orders overseas can require specialist advice. International cases often involve careful planning, particularly where property or pensions are held in different countries, so instructing an expert solicitor is crucial.
Since the introduction of no-fault rules, it’s key to note that your partner cannot contest the dissolution itself. Therefore, your application cannot be blocked, although your partner may still dispute financial settlements or child arrangements, which might require legal involvement.
In such cases, negotiation or mediation may help reach an agreement, but if not, the court will step in to decide. Rest assured that even where there is resistance, you can still bring the legal partnership to an end.
If you are considering the dissolution of a civil partnership or need advice about your rights and options, our friendly team are here to help. Contact us today to speak directly with one of our specialist civil partnership lawyers in Alconbury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Langham or Spalding.
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