In recent years, civil partnerships have become a popular option for couples who may not want to get married. The civil partnership is a legal agreement that offers partners the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, without having to go through all of the formalities. This article will discuss civil partnerships from start to finish: what they are, how they work, civil partnership solicitors, and any implications you should be aware of before making this commitment.
What is a civil partnership?
– Civil partnerships are legal agreements between two people. They are not the same as marriage but offer rights and responsibilities akin to those of being married. A civil partner cannot be exactly defined because it differs depending on where you live. In general, though civil partners enjoy similar rights to spouses including full ownership of the property; shared responsibility for children; joint parental responsibility for any children they have together regardless of their biological relationship and entitlement to statutory bereavement leave if one civil partner dies.
– Unlike many other forms of partnership civil partnerships do not provide automatic inheritance rights upon death unless specified otherwise by law. This means that civil partners have to be very clear about any wishes they may want to be carried out in the event of death.
– In certain countries, civil partnerships offer no automatic entitlement to spousal benefits from employers; however you can take steps before entering a civil partnership and make sure that your partner will receive this benefit by making an election for them or asking their employer if it’s possible through changes in insurance arrangements.
– Partnerships are created simply by signing a document with solicitors that sets out what rights should arise between both parties. This means there is no need for a celebrant but civil partners do still have to register with one another as being legally civil partners.
– In civil partnerships, there is no requirement for cohabitation but if civil partners live together and one partner dies, the other automatically inherits their property without any financial repercussions. If civil partnerships are dissolved it can be difficult to get back what you have contributed financially or concerning assets that were jointly owned unless they are finalised in a court of law.
When should I consider a civil partnership?
– Civil partnerships offer couples rights equivalent to those given by marriage however this comes at an initial cost: as civil partners do not enjoy automatic inheritance rights upon death new wills must be made before entering into such a commitment; additionally adding your partner’s name on bank accounts, insurance policies etc will mean more work too! With civil partnerships, there is more responsibility for both parties as well.
– Civil partnership can be a good option if you do not want to have the huge ceremony that often accompanies marriage and would prefer something low key, informal and affordable but without losing any of the rights or benefits afforded by civil partnerships. It’s also worth considering civil partnerships if you are in an open relationship where sexual exclusivity isn’t important – it allows your partner to enjoy their freedom whilst still having some security in place should things go wrong!
