Other family matters

Dissolving a civil partnership

In the same way that a marriage can only end in divorce, annulment or the death of one of either spouse, a civil partnership ends only on formal dissolution or annulment, or on the death of one of the partners. emeryjohnson solicitors can advise and guide you through this process.

Applying to the court for the partnership to be dissolved is very similar to making an application for divorce. You must have been in a civil partnership for more than one year and will need to provide evidence of one or more of following facts:

• Unreasonable behaviour, that is behaviour such that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to live with their civil partner
• Separation for two years, where the other civil partner consents to a dissolution order being made
• Separation for five years, where the other civil partner does not consent to a dissolution order being made
• That the other civil partner has deserted the applicant for a period of two years prior to the application

If the court is satisfied on the evidence that the civil partnership has broken down irretrievably, a dissolution order can be granted.

If there are children of the family you will also need to provide a 'statement of arrangements' in which you tell the court what plans you have made for the children once the dissolution is final.