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The Civil Partnership Act became law earlier this month. The first civil partnership ceremonies took place this week in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Commenting on the wider significance of the act for couples, Private Client Solicitor at Alexander Harris:

"This will be of enormous benefit to same-sex couples, from an inheritance tax perspective in particular.

Previously, when one partner died, their entire estate over the nil rate band would be taxable. Now they can benefit from the surviving spouse tax exemption and pass assets to their partner tax free.

It also gives civil partners more rights over their partner's pension. When one partner dies, the other will qualify for their spouse's pension in the same way that a heterosexual married couple would."

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