It is difficult enough to cope with the emotional distress of civil partnership breakdown without having to work through the legal issues. An expert family law solicitor can guide you through the civil partnership dissolution process and ensure that you get the best outcome possible. You may need legal advice on issues such as:
- Agreeing how to divide assets
- Dissolution or separation orders
- Issues relating to children
- Joint residence orders
Civil Partnerships
Civil partnership was introduced in Ireland in 2011 to cater for same-sex couples, but it was rescinded in 2015 after the introduction of the Marriage Equality Act. Couples can no longer register a civil partnership in Ireland, and partnerships registered abroad since May 16, 2016, are not recognised as civil partnerships here. Civil partnerships offer much of the same formalities and protections as marriage.
Civil Partnership Dissolution
If you obtained a civil partnership in Ireland before the introduction of the Marriage Equality Act and wish to dissolve it, you must meet the following conditions:
- Both parties must have been living apart for two out of the previous three years.
- Adequate arrangements must be made for each of the parties.
- Separate documents must be submitted to court outlining the partnership details and stating the parties’ assets and means of income.
The courts can make orders in relation to the following:
- Maintenance for a dependent partner
- Transfer/sale of any jointly owned property
- Pensions and life policies
- Succession rights
To Secure a Decree of Nullity
The court must be satisfied that one of the following conditions has been met:
- At least one party was aged under 18.
- At least one party was married already or in a civil partnership.
- Formalities were not complied with.
- At least one party did not give free, informed consent.