Civil Partnerships: Bedford Solicitors and Lawyers; Stevenage Solicitors and Lawyers; HilliersHRW

Since 2005, same-sex couples have had the right to enter into a Civil Partnership. Civil Partners have similar rights to married couples in relation to capital gains tax; inheritance tax; wills; inheritance; pensions, insurance, housing and other issues.

Civil Partnerships are only available to same-sex couples; mixed-sex couples are able to acquire such rights through marriage. In the same way that certain close relations such as parents; children and their siblings are not permitted to marry each other, same sex couples may not register a Civil Partnership if their relationship has too close a degree of affinity.

Not only are there particular consequences of registering a Civil Partnership in terms of how this benefits a couple during their relationship, but the act of registration has significance on relationship breakdown. Similar to marriage, a Civil Partnership can only be brought to an end by dissolution, by order of the court. The court has the same powers, as in the case of a divorce, to make orders in relation to financial matters and children. No application for dissolution can be made within the first year after registration. Therefore, as with marriage, Civil Partnerships should not be entered into lightly.

If you are contemplating a Civil Partnership, it is important that you should obtain advice as to the consequences of doing so. This is likely to include a review of your existing Will, and whether there are any tax advantages or disadvantages to consider.

Contact:
Neil Remnant. Bedford Office: 01234 858035. Stevenage Office: 01438 346032.

	Divorce Civil Partnerships	Since 2005, same-sex couples have had the right to enter into a Civil Partnership. Civil Partners have similar rights to married couples in relation to capital gains tax; inheritance tax; wills; inheritance; pensions, insurance, housing and other issues. Civil Partnerships are only available to same-sex couples; mixed-sex couples are able to acquire such rights through marriage. In the same way that certain close relations such as parents; children and their siblings are not permitted to marry each other, same sex couples may not register a Civil Partnership if their relationship has too close a degree of affinity. Not only are there particular consequences of registering a Civil Partnership in terms of how this benefits a couple during their relationship, but the act of registration has significance on relationship breakdown. Similar to marriage, a Civil Partnership can only be brought to an end by dissolution, by order of the court. The court has the same powers, as in the case of a divorce, to make orders in relation to financial matters and children. No application for dissolution can be made within the first year after registration. Therefore, as with marriage, Civil Partnerships should not be entered into lightly. If you are contemplating a Civil Partnership, it is important that you should obtain advice as to the consequences of doing so. This is likely to include a review of your existing Will, and whether there are any tax advantages or disadvantages to consider. Contact: Neil Remnant. Bedford Office: 01234 858035. Stevenage Office: 01438 346032.