12 Nov 1st Opposite-Sex Couple Civil Partnership will be able to take place on 31 December 2019
The draft Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 was approved by the House of Lords last week. The Regulations were needed to allow opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership. The Regulations starts on 2 December, which will allow the first opposite-sex civil partnership to take place on 31 December, given the usual 28-day notice period. Some register offices are taking bookings now for couples to be able to register to give notice on 2 December 2019. Entering into a Civil Partnership creates a legal relationship which has financial connotations if the partnership ends, just like when a marriage is ended by divorce. To read the new law click here
Financial implications if the civil partnership ends?
Just like a marriage, if the civil partnership ends and dissolution proceedings take place then either you or your civil partner can apply to court for financial orders. The financial orders are the same orders available on a divorce. The financial orders which can be applied for are:
- A property adjustment order which is an order relating to property i.e. transferring a property into one person’s name, setting out how the property is to be owned under a trust or ordering the sale of the property etc.
- A lump sum order which is either a single payment of money or an amount of money to be paid in instalments.
- A periodical payments order (maintenance) which is an order for one person to pay to the other person an amount of money at regular intervals e.g. weekly or monthly. To help that person to be able to live.
- A pension sharing order or a pension compensation order which is an order for one person to have a percentage share of the other person’s pension fund.
- A pension attachment order or a pension compensation attachment order which is an order for one person to receive a share of the other person’s income under their pension fund when it starts to pay out.
Whether all or some of the financial orders are appropriate will depend on the circumstances of you and your civil partner at the time, which is why it is always important to seek legal advice if the civil partnership is coming to an end or has ended. Or for those who wish, to take advice prior to entering into a civil partnership which is always very sensible.
For advice about ending a Civil Partnership and the financial connotations of this please contact Genette Gale our Family Solicitor on 01747 852377.
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