Divorce & Family

Until 2005 gay and lesbian couples could not achieve the same legal rights and status as a married heterosexual couple. Fortunately, this all changed as result of the Civil Partnership Act and at Bell & Buxton Solicitors we are experienced at advising on a broad range of legal matters arising from same-sex relationship.

A registered Civil Partnership is in law the equivalent to a heterosexual marriage, bringing with it legal benefits relating to property, pension, children and inheritance, as well as other legal responsibilities. The process to dissolve legal partnerships is the same as for a divorce. It’s therefore important that you instruct a solicitor that has specialist knowledge in the breakdown of same-sex relationships to represent your interests.

It is common for gay and lesbian couples to move in together without entering into a Pre-civil Partnership Agreement. If that’s you, and you don’t know where you stand legally in terms of the property or financially, please call us for advice. Alternatively, if you want to know more about creating a Pre-civil Partnership Agreement with your partner, get in touch to see how we can help.

Donor insemination – legal rights

Our solicitors have experience of advising and representing gay and lesbian people on issues relating to children conceived by donor insemination. In 2017, head of the family team Demelza Wrigley represented a client in a case that was heard by the Court of Appeal concerning contact arrangements with the child conceived by donor insemination. Here Demelza writes about this matter and its' implications in the Family Law Journal