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Civil Partnership
You need to be in a civil partnership for at least a year before you can apply to court for a dissolution. If you’re separated but have been in a civil partnership for less than a year, do still speak to our solicitors about protecting your position.
There is only one ground for dissolution in England and Wales, which is proving that your civil partnership has broken down irretrievably. In order to prove this, you need to be able to rely on one of the following four facts:
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The unreasonable behaviour of your civil partner
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The desertion of your civil partner
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Two years’ separation from your civil partner with their consent
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Five years’ separation from your civil partner (is this without consent?)

You may wish to simply separate from your partner before deciding for a dissolution. You can formalise your separation by way of a Separation Agreement: a legally binding contract that sets out the arrangements for your children and/or finances without involving the courts.
If dissolution is warranted, assuming no complications and the petition is undisputed, the process usually takes between four to six months to complete. Most dissolution cases can be resolved without attending court; however, if you are required to attend court, your Rucklidge’s solicitor will guide you through the process and explain your options, specific to your individual circumstances, so that you can decide how best to go forward.
If you’ve already been separated from your civil partner for some time and no longer know where they reside, we can help you make other applications to the court to progress your dissolution.
Your solicitor will help make the ending of your civil partnership as smooth as possible. They will ensure that queries from the court are swiftly addressed, as any mistakes on your dissolution papers may delay proceedings. Rucklidge’s will ensure you’re properly advised when it comes to reaching a financial settlement and that any decision is enforced. They will work in your best interests and towards your optimum outcome.
"You need to be in a civil partnership for at least one year before you can apply to court for a dissolution. If you are separated but have been in a civil partnership for less than one year please still speak to our dissolution solicitor about the ways in which you can protect your position."

FAQ's
How can I get a dissolution in England and Wales?
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The unreasonable behaviour of your civil partner; or -
The desertion of you by your civil partner; or -
Your two years separation from your civil partner with their consent; or -
Your five years separation from your civil partner.
Do I need a solicitor?
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any queries from the court are dealt with swiftly – if there are any mistakes on your dissolution papers the court could reject them and delay matters; -
any problems with your civil partner are dealt with swiftly – your civil partner might not return the dissolution papers to court or you might not be able to find them. You may need to make other applications to the court in order to progress your dissolution. -
the dates contained within the dissolution petition do not prejudice your financial claims; -
your claims for financial settlement are adequately provided for, within the dissolution petition; -
you are properly advised on reaching financial settlement within adequate timescales and protected, by the incorporation of that settlement into a court order; -
you are properly advised on the cost implications of the dissolution; -
the timing of the application to complete the dissolution (known as the Final Dissolution Order) is properly considered, taking into account the potential impact of this on financial matters, such as your pension entitlement.
Are there any alternatives to dissolution?
Do I need to go to court?
Quite often the dissolution process can be completed entirely on paper and it is not necessary for the parties to attend court. However, in the rare case that you do need to go to court your Rucklidge’s dissolution solicitor can guide and support you through the process in the most cost effective way.
How long does it take to get a dissolution?
Providing that there are no complications, the dissolution process usually takes about four to six months to complete. There may be reasons that your Rucklidge’s dissolution solicitor advises you to delay completion of your dissolution, however, this is an issue which will be fully explored with you before you decide.