Introduced in the UK in 2004, civil partnerships have gone a long way towards securing equal rights for gay and lesbian couples. A civil partnership gives homosexual couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts – and so requires formal legal proceedings when the relationship breaks down, and the involvement of an experienced family lawyer.
As civil partnerships are still by some seen as a second-class form of marriage, there are those who naively believe it is not as legally binding as a heterosexual marriage, and therefore is easier to disregard when things go wrong. Now, Family law experts Woolley & Co. are trying to dispel any such myths.
Committed to helping people when they need it most, the Woolley & Co. website provides a wealth of knowledge and information on all issues regarding family law, divorce, children, finance and legal separation.
With over 20 years experience dealing with issues of family law, Woolley & Co. advise that the first point of call for those considering leaving their civil partner must be a specialist family lawyer. As one of the parties must file a petition with the court, requesting civil partnership dissolution, this process is very similar to the divorce process, and therefore requires the approach of a trained professional.
When it comes to finance there are no hard and fast rules regarding your rights in the breakdown of a relationship. There will often be a range of possible solutions to dividing the assets in your relationship, and it is important that you explain fully to your family lawyer your own preferences within that range. It may be that you can come to an amicable agreement with your partner. If you do, this can be embodied in a legal binding agreement (called a Consent Order), but again this would require the assistance of a family law expert. If possible the best way, and the one likely to save you a lot of time, money and heartache, is to come to some sort of amicable agreement outside of the courts.
Ultimately the breakdown of a relationship will be a struggle for everyone involved, but if it really is the last resort for you its better to be informed and aware of the process. That’s why divorce solicitors Woolley & Co. offer an exhaustive range of articles and factual commentary on all issues regarding family law, so that you can research exactly what divorce proceedings could involve before you start the ball rolling. Their website also features a brand new blog service to further the support they can offer to those experiencing tough times.
Editor’s Notes: Woolley & Co. is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Gareth Vipers. Email: gareth@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 234.
