The Civil Partnership Act is a major piece of social legislation and is intended to create an entirely new legal framework for same-sex couples who wish to 'marry'. Written by two family law practitioners with a combined practice experience of over fifty years, The Civil Partnership Act 2004: A Practical Guide provides a clear, concise explanation of the new legislation. The book spans the lifetime of a relationship, from entering into the civil partnership, its consequences in terms of financial and family arrangements, to practical guidance on how the partnership is dissolved and the consequences of breakdown and death.