If your civil partnership has broken down, working through all the decisions you will need to make can be complicated – especially against the emotional backdrop of a separation.

Our experienced expert family law solicitors can guide you through the dissolution process and ensure that you get the best outcome possible, taking a sensitive but straightforward approach at all times.

We have an excellent reputation for our work with same-sex couples, informed by our company's focus on LGBT issues. In 2013, we were described by independent legal guide Chambers & Partners as being "a market leader for advice to same-sex couples across the full range of family law, including children law".

Our legal teams are made up of expert solicitors who have led some of the largest family law cases in the UK. We have a strong network of offices in major cities across the UK that can advise you on issues such as:

Agreeing how to divide assets
Dissolution or separation orders
Parental responsibility orders
Issues surrounding children, such as contact, school fees, child maintenance payments etc
Joint residence orders.

If you need any further advice about civil partnership dissolution, please contact us to arrange a consultation. One of our experts will talk you through your options and help you decide what steps to take. Call us on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Civil Partnerships - More Information

- What Experience Does Irwin Mitchell Have Of Civil Partnership And Same-Sex Marriage Work?
- We have an excellent reputation for supporting same-sex couples and can help you whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or planning for your future together.
  
  Our family law solicitors are friendly and accessible but are also known for their no-nonsense approach and robust application of the law. We have challenged and changed the law in order to get the best results for our clients, including recently supporting Helen Roocroft in a landmark court case that saw same-sex couples gain the same rights as heterosexual couples in family law.
  
  In 2013, we were described as "a market leader for advice to same-sex couples across the full range of family law, including children law" by independent legal guide Chambers & Partners.
  
  If you are in a same-sex couple, we can support you with many of your legal needs, including:
  - Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
  - Financial agreements
  - Childcare arrangements
  - Divorce
  - Adoption and surrogacy
  - Dissolution
  Our commitment to helping same-sex couples is not just reflected in our casework, it is also part of our company culture. We are committed to supporting LGBTQ issues across the organisation and have been recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
  
  If you need help with any aspect of family law relating to your relationship, call us on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
- Will I Have To Go To Court?
- You may have to go to court if you can’t come to an agreement with your former partner.
  
  We believe out-of-court agreements – achieved through negotiation, the collaborative process, mediation or arbitration – are the best way to settle divorces and separations. Not only is this generally cheaper and quicker, it can also be much less stressful.
  
  We offer a range of services to support you with out-of-court separations. We can help you access an arbitrator, or trained mediators who can help you and your partner discuss your situation in a transparent and constructive way. We can also provide you with access to family therapists and counselling services for extra support.
  
  If none of these work, we will ensure you have the best legal representation in court. Our solicitors will be open and honest about the likely outcome, and will fight to protect your best interests. We will ensure you are well prepared for any appearances, and will be at your side throughout.
  
  As one of the UK's leading family law firms, our solicitors have dealt with many different types of cases, so no matter how complicated your situation is, we can offer you clear advice that comes from years of experience.
  
  For advice or a consultation on your case, call us 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Civil Partnership Dissolution Work?

If you want to end your civil partnership, you will need to apply for a dissolution order. To do this, you must have been partnered for at least one year.

The dissolution process itself is similar to divorce and can be quite straightforward if you can agree the basis for the dissolution. There are usually financial matters and/or arrangements for children to sort out, and these will generally be dealt with at the same time.

You can reach an agreement to dissolve your civil partnership directly between you, or for example by mediation, using the collaborative law process or following negotiation between your solicitors.

If you agree to dissolve your partnership, the courts will endorse your decision by issuing a Conditional Court Order and then a Final Order.

We are skilled negotiators and also offer collaborative civil partnership dissolution, as well as advising on mediation and arbitration services. We believe it is best to reach an out-of-court agreement where possible, and our trained experts will ensure you get the best support available.

We also understand, however, that this is sometimes not possible. If the civil partnership dissolution is contested and you need to go through the courts, we will fight for the very best outcome for you.

Going through a separation can be traumatic and difficult, but our experience of dealing with civil partnership law means we can guide you through the process and make sure your best interests are protected. For advice on dissolving a civil partnership, call us now on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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What Grounds Can You Use To End A Civil Partnership?

To dissolve your civil partnership, at least a year must have passed since the partnership began and one of the following must be proven:

A partner must have behaved unreasonably
Both partners must have lived apart for two years and must agree to the dissolution
Both partners must have lived apart for five years and one partner agrees to the dissolution
One partner deserted the other at least two years before the order is given

Unreasonable behaviour can include:

Physical and mental abuse to you or your children
Verbal abuse
Financial irresponsibility
Drug or alcohol abuse
Being sexually unfaithful
Passing on certain sexually-transmitted diseases

If you need legal advice on the grounds for ending a civil partnership, please contact us to arrange a consultation. One of our solicitors will talk to you and help you decide on the best way forward. Call us now on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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How Long Does It Take To Dissolve A Civil Partnership?

The dissolution process itself can take as little as 4-5 months. If you agree the basis of the dissolution then a Conditional Order will be granted and after six weeks and one day have passed the Final Order can be applied for which legally dissolves the partnership.

However, all cases of civil partnership dissolution differ, and the overall timing may depend on the resolution of financial matters.

In cases where out of court processes are used, you can typically reach an agreement within six months.

Complex financial matters, a strained relationship or one of you contesting the dissolution of the civil partnership can lengthen the time it takes to reach an agreement. However, our no-nonsense approach will ensure you fully understand your options and get the best result as soon as possible.

We can offer advice on a range of services – such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative civil partnership dissolution – which can help resolve your case quickly and keep it out of court.

For more advice on dissolving a civil partnership, or a consultation about the specifics of your case, call us now on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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I live in Scotland, can Irwin Mitchell help me?

Our expert family law team works with a number of trusted partners to help our clients with family law issues in Scotland.

We’ll be your point of contact and manage the entire process for you throughout. You’ll get frequent progress updates and we’ll break down any legal jargon into plain English so you’re always in the loop.

To find out more about how we can help, give us a call on 0345 604 4911 or contact us online.

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Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors

We Have Offices Across The Country

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Civil Partnership Dissolution Work?

What Grounds Can You Use To End A Civil Partnership?

How Long Does It Take To Dissolve A Civil Partnership?

I live in Scotland, can Irwin Mitchell help me?

About Irwin Mitchell

Contact Us

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Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors

We Have Offices Across The Country

Landmark Court of Appeal Victory For Woman Whose Ex Partner Who Hid £6m Assets In Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Civil Partnership Dissolution Work?

What Grounds Can You Use To End A Civil Partnership?

How Long Does It Take To Dissolve A Civil Partnership?

I live in Scotland, can Irwin Mitchell help me?

Related Information - Civil Partnerships & Same-Sex Marriage

About Irwin Mitchell

Contact Us

Get a call back

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