Civil Partnership Dissolution And The Issue Of Finance

Finances do not arise as an issue or problem between happy couples and this is the case with those parties of a happy and successful civil partnership.

Particularly if both partners are earning, things are much cheaper for both of them if they are splitting bills and both paying rent or a mortgage on a property. However, if there is a civil partnership dissolution (often referred to as civil partnership divorce), money can quickly become a major issue.

The largest problem is that partners involved in a civil partnership dissolution will now have to fund two separate households, which is usually much more costly than just finding a single household. Courts handle financial matters regarding civil partnership dissolution in a very similar way to how they handle financial issues in divorces. There are many financial aspects in a civil partnership which may need to be taken into account: insurance, property, shares, benefits, tax allowances and joint bank accounts are just a few. When going through a civil partnership dissolution through the courts, it is always advisable to seek legal advice on solicitors who specialise in civil partnership divorce regarding finances and the dissolution itself.

The partners may be able to come to an agreement between themselves. If this is the case, they can request that the Court makes an order by consent. Even in this case, it's always advisable for both partners to get independent and specialist legal advice to make sure that the proposed settlement is fair and reasonable. The Court will usually require detailed information about each party's finances to come to a decision. A Court hearing will not always be necessary in this situation.

However, if the two partners cannot come to an agreement, the Court will require full details of each partners finances and property ownership. This can be done whilst dissolving a civil partnership. Normally there are three stages dealing with financial use in any civil partnership dissolution that must be attended by both partners: The First Appointment, Financial Dispute Resolution and The Final Hearing. The First Appointment identifies the appropriate and non-appropriate issues surrounding the financial situation of the partners. The Financial Dispute Resolution is generally informal, and the judge will provide guidance and help to try and avoid the expense and hassle of going to The Final Hearing. When the partners have complicated financial situations, the Final Hearing can last for a significant amount of time. In this case the judge will split finances and property as he or she sees appropriate.

When children are involved in a civil partnership divorce, this can make things more complicated as the Court will always take into account the child's welfare. However, maintenance regarding children is mainly dealt with through the Child Support Agency.

You may have to begin financial court proceedings before you enter into a new civil partnership or marriage. Seek specialist legal advice if you are unsure about this, or if you are planning on entering into a new civil partnership or getting married, but have outstanding financial issues from your previous partnership.