The first civil partnerships under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 took place in December 2005. Since then, more than 60,000 gay couples have formed civil partnerships, which give them broadly the same rights as married couples.
From 29 March 2014, same sex partners have also been able to marry, following the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which will eventually enable gay couples to convert existing civil partnerships into marriages.
At Palmers Solicitors, our family law experts can advise gay couples on the legal issues involved in entering a civil partnership or same sex marriage, including assisting in putting in place agreements about financial arrangements, either before or after the civil partnership or same sex marriage. We can also advise on the importance of making a will.
Latest figures available from the Office for National Statistics suggest that around ten per cent of civil partnerships end in dissolution, the equivalent of a divorce, and when relationships break down, our experienced family law team can provide sensitive, practical advice to help clients make informed decisions on the way forward.
We can help with:
- Financial agreements
- Divorce and dissolution
- Divorce and dissolution: financial arrangements
- Divorce and dissolution: children
- Separation
- Making a will
For more information on our same sex marriage and civil partnership legal services, please contact Palmers Solicitors’ family law team in Essex.
