We understand that bringing a civil partnership to an end can be an emotionally difficult and uncertain time. Our civil partnership dissolution solicitors are here to provide clear, supportive advice and guide you through the process.
At Brindley Twist Tafft & James, we have extensive experience in dealing with civil partnership dissolutions, including complex financial matters and arrangements for children.
We will take the time to understand your circumstances and explain your options clearly, helping you make informed decisions about your future. Wherever possible, we aim to resolve matters without the need for court proceedings, as this is often less stressful, quicker, and more cost-effective.
If court involvement is necessary, we will prepare a robust case on your behalf and ensure you feel supported at every stage. Our focus is always on achieving a fair outcome while minimising conflict and protecting your long-term interests.
Contact our civil partnership dissolution solicitors in Coventry, Warwick and Southam
If you require supportive advice or guidance from an expert civil partnership dissolution lawyer, then please get in touch with one of our offices in Coventry, Warwick, Southam and Balsall Common, or email one of our solicitors below to see how we can help.
For more information, see our family law solicitors page.
Our civil partnership dissolution service
Our civil partnership dissolution solicitors offer comprehensive support and guidance for a wide range of legal matters.
We can offer advice at every stage of the legal process, from issuing a dissolution application through to securing financial orders that clearly set out how assets and liabilities will be divided.
This includes advice on property, pensions, savings, and ongoing financial support, as well as arrangements for children where appropriate.
We place a strong emphasis on resolving matters constructively and will explore negotiation, mediation, and other alternatives to court wherever possible.
This approach can help to minimise conflict, reduce costs, and allow both parties to move forward more quickly.
If court proceedings are required, you can rely on us to prepare your case thoroughly and represent your interests effectively.
Our team will provide straightforward advice, regular updates, and the professional support you need to make decisions about the next stage of your life.
Civil partnership dissolution FAQs
How do you legally end a civil partnership?
A civil partnership is legally ended by applying to the court for a dissolution order. The process begins with submitting a formal application and providing evidence that the civil partnership has irretrievably broken down.
The application must state the legal grounds for dissolution and include any supporting documentation, such as statements or agreements about finances or children.
Once the court reviews the application, it may issue a conditional order, followed by a final dissolution order after a waiting period.
Once the final order is granted, the civil partnership is legally ended, and you are free to remarry or enter into a new civil partnership.
What are the grounds for civil partnership dissolution?
The only legal ground for ending a civil partnership is that the relationship has irretrievably broken down.
There is no need to provide evidence of the irretrievable breakdown of the relationship, nor to rely on a ‘fact’ such as adultery, desertion, separation or unreasonable behaviour. This requirement was removed via the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.
How long does a civil partnership dissolution take?
The duration of a civil partnership dissolution can vary significantly depending on the circumstances.
A straightforward dissolution without complex financial or child arrangements can often be completed within several months.
However, if disputes arise over finances, property, pensions, or child arrangements, the process can take much longer, potentially exceeding a year.
Court availability, the need to submit supporting documents, and any attempts at negotiation or mediation also influence the timeline.
Even in straightforward cases, there are minimum waiting periods to be aware of. There is a 20-week ‘cooling off’ period between making an application and the conditional order being granted, and a further 6-week wait between the conditional order and the final order being granted
These waiting periods ensure both parties have the opportunity to consider the implications of ending the partnership.
How long do you have to be in a civil partnership before you can apply for dissolution?
Legally, a civil partnership must have existed for at least one year before an application for dissolution can be submitted.
This one-year minimum period allows both partners to consider whether reconciliation is possible and ensures the process is not initiated immediately.
The court will not accept an application for dissolution if the civil partnership is less than a year old, even if the relationship has clearly broken down.
Once the one-year threshold is met, the partners can begin the formal legal process, which includes preparing and submitting the application, stating the grounds for dissolution, and addressing financial or child-related matters as needed.
How are financial assets and debts divided upon the dissolution of a civil partnership?
Financial assets and debts are divided on the principle of fairness and the specific circumstances of each partner.
The court takes into account the length of the partnership, the contributions of each partner, their respective financial needs, and the standard of living during the partnership.
This includes savings, property, investments, pensions, and liabilities such as loans or mortgages.
The aim is to reach an equitable settlement that allows both parties to maintain reasonable financial stability after the dissolution.
Where necessary, the court can issue binding financial orders to ensure that the division of assets and debts is enforceable and legally recognised.
Will dissolving a civil partnership affect my pension rights?
Yes, pensions are considered part of the financial assets to be divided in a civil partnership dissolution. Both state and private pensions may be included, depending on the circumstances.
The court can use various methods to ensure pensions are divided fairly, including pension sharing orders, offsetting against other assets, or earmarking income from the pension for one partner.
The division depends on the type of pension, the length of the partnership, and the overall financial circumstances of both partners.
Even pensions that are not yet payable may be taken into account to ensure that both parties’ future financial security is reasonably protected.
What happens to the family home or joint property when a civil partnership ends?
The family home and any jointly owned property are addressed during the dissolution process to ensure a fair outcome.
Options can include selling the property and dividing the proceeds, transferring ownership to one partner, or continuing joint ownership under a formal agreement.
The court considers the financial circumstances of both partners, their future housing needs, and whether children are involved.
If one partner remains in the family home, the court may impose arrangements regarding use, maintenance, and eventual sale. The goal is to achieve a practical and equitable solution that allows both parties to move forward without unresolved property disputes.
How are child arrangements decided in a civil partnership dissolution?
Child arrangements are decided based on the welfare and best interests of the children. Decisions cover where children will live, how time will be shared between parents, and responsibility for important decisions such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Parents are encouraged to reach an agreement through negotiation or mediation, but if disputes arise, the court can make binding orders.
The court considers factors such as the child’s age, needs, relationships with both parents, and any history of harm or neglect. The primary aim is to ensure stability, protect the child’s wellbeing, and maintain contact with both parents wherever possible.
Contact our civil partnership dissolution solicitors in Coventry, Warwick and Southam
If you require supportive advice or guidance from an expert civil partnership dissolution lawyer, then please get in touch with one of our offices in Coventry, Warwick, Southam and Balsall Common, or email one of our solicitors below to see how we can help.