Other family matters

Same sex couples & civil partnerships

Under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, couples who form a civil partnership will have the legal status of civil partner and enjoy equal treatment with married couples in a wide range of legal matters, including:

• tax, including inheritance tax
• employment Benefits
• most state and occupational pension benefits
• income related benefits, tax credits and child support
• duty to provide reasonable maintenance for any children of the family
• ability to apply for parental responsibility for your civil partners child
• inheritance of a tenancy agreement
• recognition under intestacy rules
• access to fatal accidents compensation
• protection from domestic abuse
• recognition from immigration and nationality purposes

You can form a civil partnership at a register office or an approved premise, after first giving notice to the Registrar.  You must then wait 15 days.

You may wish to consider an agreement similar to a pre-nuptial or cohabitation agreement.

Emma Mitchell has also drawn up agreements for donor conception couples and we are delighted to be associated with Pride Angel. Please visit our links page for their details.