Ending a civil partnership
If you need to end a civil partnership, our family law solicitors can help you through the Court process, reach a financial settlement and work out financial maintenance.
One of our expert family law solicitors can advise you on every aspect of ending your civil partnership – from filling out your dissolution petition and completing paperwork, to reaching a financial settlement with your former partner.
Reasons to end a civil partnership
Legally, the only basis for dissolution is the ‘irretrievable breakdown of the partnership’, which can be established in one of four different ways:
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Two years’ separation by consent
- Five years’ separation
- Two years’ desertion
How do I end my civil partnership?
The legal process of ending a civil partnership is called ‘dissolution’. If you want to dissolve your civil partnership, the first steps are to:
- Apply to the Court – the first step is filling out a dissolution petition
- Give the Court a reason why you want to end the partnership
- Talk to your partner about practical issues, such as dividing your finances.
We have more information for you in our guide to dissolving a civil partnership.
Call our specialist solicitors on 0808 231 1320
We’re here to help
If you want a lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, our family and divorce lawyers are based in:
- Cambridgeshire: Cambridge
- Essex: Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
- Hertfordshire: Bishop's Stortford and Royston
But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Ending a civil partnership FAQs
The court charges a fee of £593 for an application to dissolve (end) a civil partnership.
- If you then reach an agreement between you as to the financial arrangements upon dissolution (i.e. how you will divide your assets and any ongoing financial support between you), the charge for the court approving your agreement to make it binding is £53
- If you are unable to reach an agreement as to your financial arrangements, you can apply for the court to adjudicate. The court fee to start that process is £275
The above court fees are payable whether you use a solicitor or handle the dissolution yourself. Legal fees cover the cost of things like the solicitor or mediator’s time advising you, preparing documents and representing you at Court (if required).
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may have to pay additional Court fees or be entitled to fee exemptions.
