What does it mean if you are in a civil partnership?

Answer

1. What does it mean if you are in a civil partnership? 

A civil partnership is a legal relationship between two people, similar to marriage. It sets out your rights and responsibilities towards each other and any children you may have.

Before registration, you and your partner may choose to write down a pre-registration agreement. While the agreement is not legally binding, the court could refer to it during settlement following a breakup.

A civil partnership is different from marriage but works in the same way. It was originally introduced for same-sex couples, but opposite-sex couples can also register for civil partnerships. 

A civil partnership impacts issues that affect both of you, such as adoption, financial support of children, money and possessions, debts, inheritance, etc. For instance, you can jointly adopt a child in a civil partnership. 

In England and Wales, a civil relationship may end either upon filing a request to the court or after a partner’s death.