Civil partnership

The biggest impact of civil partnership is that civil partners will be able to get parental responsibility for their partner’s child in the same way as a step parent; they will be able to use parental responsibility agreements and orders without having to use shared residence orders as at present. Parental responsibility is, at its simplest, the legal status of a parent and brings with it all the rights and responsibilities a parent has towards a child. At its most practical level, it is needed to give consent for medical treatment and allows participation in major decisions affecting the child.

Another major change is that if a couple are in a civil partnership and they separate, the non-biological parent will have a duty to maintain a child of the family.

Before registering as civil partners, it would be wise to fully explore how this change of status will affect you and your children.

Bindmans family department can offer specialist advice from leading experts on all aspects of gay parenting.

For further information, contact Louise Coubrough or Melanie Hay.