Pre-nuptial agreements or pre-marital agreements have been used by married couples for many years to set out their intentions

Dissolution of a Civil Partnership

Relationships sometimes break down. Civil partnerships can be dissolved where:

It has lasted for at least 12 months

The civil partnership must have 'irretrievably broken down' based on one of the following:

Unreasonable behaviour
2 years separation with consent
5 years separation
2 years desertion

Legal and financial implications of the dissolution of a civil partnership

Any implications that apply to married couples will be similar for civil partners. This means essentially that each partner will have claims over the other in relation to maintenance, housing, pensions, intestacy, employment and in relation to any children of the relationship.

How can I protect myself?

Pre-nuptial agreements or pre-marital agreements have been used by married couples for many years to set out their intentions in the unfortunate event of a relationship breakdown. They are also available to prospective civil partners (pre-cips). The agreement is not legally binding but the courts are attaching increasing weight to them.