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Civil Partnerships
The Civil Partnership Act came into force on 5th December 2005 and provided for same sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship by the registration of a Civil Partnership. Civil Partners now have the same rights and duties to each other and third parties as married couples.
- Civil Partners will generally need legal advice on relationship breakdown.
- Civil Partnerships can de dissolved in a similar way to married couples.
- The only ground for dissolution is irretrievable breakdown and this has to be proved by 1 of 4 facts- unreasonable behaviour, desertion for 2 years, separation for 2 years with consent and separation for 5 years (no consent needed).
- A formal Dissolution Order finally dissolves the Civil Partnership.
- Civil Partners can apply to the Court for financial and property orders within dissolution proceedings like married couples can on divorce.
If you are thinking of entering into a Civil Partnership you should consider having a cohabitation agreement drawn up to set out financial arrangements present and future and to specify how finances are to be dealt with on separation/dissolution. Contact us now for further information.
You should also consider making wills. If you do not make a will then the Intestacy rules apply where the law sets out which relatives should inherit on your death. This problem is easily avoidable. Please contact us for further information.
Costs
We are able to tailor our fees to suit your financial situation. We will discuss affordability and reach an agreement with you on what the costs are likely to be. We are here to work with you and not make the situation more difficult for you by charging unrealistic fees.
Family & Matrimonial
Michelle Davidson-Smith heads up our Family and Matrimonial department.
Michelle is a member of Resolution. She has a valuable wealth of experience and knowledge in this area with a genuine understanding of the difficulties and emotional pressures that clients experience when dealing with family breakup.
Michelle is also a trained counsellor who is able to bring her skills into play so as to achieve a strong and effective working relationship with her clients.
The team offer an out of hours telephone service so that a client is able to speak directly with a solicitor.
Free inital appointments are also available so that a client may come into the office and be informed without financial committment as to the best way to effectively deal with their situation.
Michelle adopts a caring and sympathetic approach to all clients. Working with you means results.
In accordance with the Resolution Code of Practice they are committed to resolving disputes in a constructive and non confrontational way so as to preserve client’s dignity and encourage agreements.
Links
www.resolution.org.uk www.legalservices.gov.uk www.direct.gov.ukwww.justice.gov.uk
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
