Divorce formally brings a marriage to an end and leaves the parties free to remarry or enter into a civil partnership. The consequences are life changing. Thomas Barry & Company Solicitors will help you to properly protect your interests and those of children.

Civil Partners

The rules for separation and nullity in civil partnerships are broadly similar to those for marriage. The rules governing the dissolution of civil partnerships are different. A decree of dissolution allows both parties to a civil partnership to marry or enter into a new civil partnership. A court order is required to dissolve a civil partnership.

Cohabitees & Non-Marital Relationships

The Civil Partnership Act deals with other non-marital relationships. It defines cohabitants as two same-sex or opposite-sex adults who are: not married to each other, not in a registered civil partnership, not related within the prohibited degrees of relationship (relationships which would make them ineligible to marry each other) and living together in an intimate and committed relationship
The Act provides rights and protections for cohabiting couples.

Where there are children any relationship termination arrangement will have to provide for them. All parties are expected to display high degrees of sensitivity and forbearance when it comes to decisions affecting a child’s care and upbringing. While preferably avoided, this can become contentious.

This is an intricate area. Generally, pension rights are valued as those rights that have accrued up until termination of the relationship. Each party is obliged to disclose full details of any pension which he or she may have.