Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors in Reading

Ending a civil partnership brings many of the same practical and emotional questions as a divorce, even though the legal process has a different name. Our civil partnership dissolution solicitors in Reading give you the same clear, sensitive advice on the process, your finances and any arrangements for your children, whatever led you to this decision.

Call us on 0118 951 6200 or get in touch via our online enquiry form. Your first conversation is confidential and there is no obligation.

What is civil partnership dissolution?

Civil partnership dissolution is the legal process that ends a civil partnership. Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, it works on a no-fault basis, just like divorce: you simply confirm the partnership has broken down irretrievably. You must have been in the civil partnership for at least one year before you can apply.

Civil partnerships are available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in England and Wales, and dissolution carries the same legal weight as a divorce in ending the relationship and any related legal claims, once the finances are also settled. Civil partners have broadly the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples, including in relation to property, inheritance, and parental responsibility for children of the family, so dissolution is treated with the same seriousness and the same procedural safeguards as a divorce.

The dissolution process step by step

The process closely mirrors no-fault divorce, and follows the same timeline — see our divorce solicitors for a fuller explanation of each stage. In outline: you apply, alone or jointly, confirming the partnership has broken down irretrievably; a minimum 20-week reflection period follows; the court then issues a conditional order; and at least six weeks and one day later, you can apply for the final order, which legally ends the civil partnership. Altogether, this takes a minimum of around 26 weeks.

As with divorce, we usually recommend resolving your finances before applying for the final order, so that valuable claims are protected until a settlement is secured. Unlike divorce, there has never been a fault-based route for civil partnership dissolution — the ‘no-fault’ approach introduced for divorce in 2022 simply brought the two processes fully into line, having previously differed only in minor technical respects.

Financial settlements on dissolution

Dissolving a civil partnership does not automatically settle your finances. The same principles that apply on divorce — under equivalent provisions in the Civil Partnership Act 2004 — apply here: property, pensions, savings and income can all be divided, and the agreement needs to be recorded in a court-approved consent order to be binding. See our divorce financial settlement solicitors for more detail on how a fair settlement is reached.

As with divorce, both partners must give full and frank financial disclosure before a settlement can be agreed or approved, and any pre- or post-civil partnership agreement you may have made is taken into account, though not automatically treated as final. Where a civil partnership has been long, or where one partner gave up a career to support the family or a joint business, these factors are weighed in broadly the same way as they would be for a married couple.

Arrangements for children

Where you are separating as parents, the same priorities apply as on divorce: a stable, workable arrangement for your children, agreed between you wherever possible. Several of our lawyers sit on the Law Society Children Panel, and we can also help you agree ongoing child maintenance. Parental responsibility for a child of the family is not automatically affected by the dissolution itself, so it is worth checking your position early if this is uncertain in your case.

Why some couples choose civil partnership over marriage

Civil partnership remains a distinct legal option in England and Wales, chosen by both same-sex and opposite-sex couples for a range of personal reasons — some prefer its historically less traditional associations, while others simply feel it better reflects their relationship. Whatever the reason for entering one, the legal consequences of ending it mirror divorce closely enough that the same care over process, finances and children applies equally here.

Resolving dissolution without court

As with divorce, court is rarely the best starting point. We help civil partners reach agreement through family mediation and other forms of non-court dispute resolution, which are usually calmer, quicker and less expensive than contested proceedings.

Civil partnership dissolution solicitors in Reading and the Thames Valley

We advise civil partners across Reading, Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley, including Wokingham, Bracknell, Newbury and Maidenhead, from our office at 1 London Street in central Reading. Appointments are available in person, by telephone and by video, and we approach every case with the same care and discretion, regardless of how straightforward or complex it turns out to be.

Why choose FSP for civil partnership dissolution

Our family team is one of the largest in the Reading area, and has been top ranked in independent legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for many years. That depth means we can match the right lawyer to your matter and your budget.

• A top-ranked family team in the legal directories, equally at home with high-value, complex work and everyday family matters.
• Every family lawyer is a member of Resolution and follows its constructive, non-confrontational code of practice.

• Lexcel accredited for quality and client care, and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• Experience from over 20 years at the most senior level down to newly qualified, so you pay for the right level of expertise.

A full-service firm: your Wills, Tax and Trusts team, Residential Conveyancing team and Employment Law team are all under one roof for joined-up advice.

Ready to talk to us?

A short, confidential conversation is the best place to start. Call us on 0118 951 6200, or get in touch via our online enquiry form.