We recognise the breakdown of a civil partnership can be an emotional and stressful event. We offer straight forward advice and support to help you make the right decisions for your individual situation and the best outcome for your future.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A DISSOLUTION?

To apply for a civil partnership dissolution, your civil partnership must have been entered into at least a year prior to the application for dissolution. It doesn’t matter where in the world you formalised your relationship, but you can only apply for a dissolution in England and Wales if either you or your civil partner meet certain residence conditions or are domiciled here. You should speak to us about this if you are in any doubt.

The process is simple. After April 2022 there is no longer any room to allow a Respondent to defend an application for dissolution (except on the grounds of jurisdiction).

If you and your partner are not in agreement regarding arrangements for any children of the family and/or finances these will be dealt with separately (but at the same time) from the dissolution process.
The document that starts the dissolution is called an application. The person starting the dissolution is called the Applicant and the other civil partner is called the Respondent.

To start a dissolution, you must file an Application with The Family Court. After April 2022, it is no longer a requirement to state any basis for the application, save for the fact that the Civil Partnership has broken down irretrievably (it cannot be saved).

HOW LONG does a DISSOLUTION TAKE?

The minimum time a Dissolution can take is 6 months. This is because the second stage in the Dissolution cannot be reached until 20 weeks after the Application, and the final stage cannot be reached until 6 weeks after that. Resolving the financial matters connected to a Dissolution can make the process take longer.

HOW MUCH WILL MY DISSOLUTION COST?

The cost of the dissolution process can be an additional concern at a stressful time. We recognise this and offer a fixed fee scheme for such proceedings.

INITIAL CONSULTATION

The information above is very general and non-specific.
In order for you to receive the best advice, we offer our client’s an Initial Consultation with one of our specialist Family Solicitors at a small Fixed Fee. At that consultation, one of our Solicitors will speak to you about your particular circumstances, and give you specialist advice on your situation. That advice will then be confirmed in writing afterwards.

If you would like to enquire as to a consultation, please do telephone our office.