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Dissolution (of Civil Partnership)

Also known as: Civil Partnership Dissolution, Ending Civil Partnership

Definition

Dissolution is the legal process of ending a civil partnership through a court order, equivalent to divorce for married couples, which automatically removes your former partner from your will.

This is one of the most important life events requiring immediate will review, as dissolution triggers automatic changes to who can inherit your estate and who can administer it.

What Does Dissolution (of Civil Partnership) Mean?

Under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 as amended by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, dissolution is the legal term for ending a civil partnership—divorce only applies to marriages. Since April 2022, you need only one ground: irretrievable breakdown. The court must accept your statement as conclusive evidence, with no need to prove fault. You must be in a civil partnership for at least one year before applying.

The process follows a two-stage timeline. After submitting your application with the £593 court fee, there's a mandatory 20-week reflection period before you can apply for a Conditional Order. Once granted, you wait six weeks before applying for the Final Order that officially ends your civil partnership. The minimum timeline is 26 weeks. Sarah applied for dissolution in March. Following the 20-week reflection period, she received her Conditional Order in August. Six weeks later, Sarah received her Final Order in September.

Dissolution does not invalidate your entire will. Under Section 18C of the Wills Act 1837, your former civil partner is treated as having died on the dissolution date. Any gifts to them automatically fail, and they're removed as executor or trustee. The rest of your will remains valid but should be updated immediately. This contrasts with separation—only formal dissolution changes your legal status, while living separately has no effect. Mark and Simon made mirror wills in 2017, each leaving everything to the other and appointing each other as guardian for their adopted children. When their civil partnership dissolved in 2024, both wills were partially revoked. This left both estates passing under intestacy rules and removed guardian provisions, demonstrating why updating wills after dissolution is critical.

Common Questions

"Does dissolving a civil partnership invalidate my will?" No, dissolution does not invalidate your entire will. However, it automatically revokes any gifts to your former civil partner and removes them as executor or trustee. Your ex-partner is treated as having died on the dissolution date.

"How long does civil partnership dissolution take in the UK?" The dissolution process takes a minimum of 26 weeks in England and Wales. There's a mandatory 20-week reflection period before you can request a Conditional Order, followed by a 6-week wait before the Final Order.

"Do I need to update my will after my civil partnership is dissolved?" Yes, you should update your will after dissolution. While gifts to your ex-partner are automatically revoked, other provisions may no longer reflect your wishes. You may want to appoint new executors, update guardians, or redistribute your estate.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: Dissolving my civil partnership automatically cancels my entire will.

Reality: Dissolution does not invalidate your will. Section 18C of the Wills Act 1837 provides that only the parts of your will relating to your former civil partner are revoked—they're treated as having died on the dissolution date. The rest of your will remains valid and legally binding.

Myth: I have to wait until my civil partnership is officially dissolved to update my will.

Reality: You can and should update your will at any time, including during dissolution proceedings. It's advisable to make a new will during the dissolution process to ensure your estate doesn't pass to your separating partner if you die before the Final Order is granted. Separation alone doesn't affect will validity.

  • Divorce: The parallel process for marriages—dissolution is the civil partnership equivalent with identical automatic revocation rules.
  • Civil Partner: The person you're dissolving your civil partnership with, who loses all inheritance rights after the Final Order.
  • Separation: Informal arrangement with no effect on wills—only formal dissolution triggers automatic will revocation.
  • Revocation: Dissolution causes automatic partial revocation under Section 18C, removing your former partner from your will.
  • Marriage: Forming a new civil partnership invalidates existing wills completely unless made in contemplation of the partnership.

Need Help with Your Will?

Civil partnership dissolution automatically removes your ex-partner from your will, but other provisions may no longer reflect your wishes. Updating your will ensures your estate passes to the people you now want to benefit.

Create your will with confidence using WUHLD's guided platform. For just £99.99, you'll get your complete, legally binding will plus three expert guides. Preview your will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.