Divorce in Singapore is the legal procedure to terminate a marriage by Court judgement. Aside from effectively dissolving a marital union, a divorce is also concerned with handling marital issues and disputes regarding child custody, alimony, child support and division of assets. Each party should have a Singapore divorce lawyer or family lawyer to counsel and represent him or her during the proceedings.
Singapore divorces will follow a two-stage process. The first stage is the dissolution of marriage, which involves the decision of the Court to grant an Interim Judgment due to irretrievable breakdown of marriage. The second stage concerns the settlement of ancillary matters, including custody and spousal maintenance. Unless the second stage is completed, the divorce cannot be finalized.
When an Applicant files for divorce in Singapore, the law requires that the Respondent be informed of the proceedings. This is normally done by Personal Service, where the divorce documents are delivered directly to the Respondent to ensure they are aware of the case. With the Respondent’s agreement, service can also be effected via e-mail or other messaging apps.
A divorce certificate is not just a formality but a definitive record of a dissolved marriage that carries significant legal and financial implications. It is often required to enforce rights and obligations encompassing child custody, property division, and tax filings after the divorce.
The Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) in Singapore supports divorcing parents with minor children by providing e-learning and consultation sessions. This programme equips parents with co-parenting skills and knowledge, aiming to minimise conflict and reduce the emotional distress experienced by children during and after divorce, thus promoting their ongoing well-being.
Family matters often involve a complex and emotionally sensitive journey. When legal intervention becomes necessary, having a clear understanding of family law in Singapore is crucial. This legal framework aims to protect individual rights and interests while promoting equitable and compassionate resolutions to familial disputes.
Approximately 25% of marriages end up in divorce. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS), there were 7,107 divorces and annulments and 28,389 marriages in 2022. Divorce can be emotionally draining and financially burdensome due to its costs that include legal fees, division of assets, and ongoing spousal or child support payments (maintenance).
In Singapore, divorce is a legal procedure that allows a married couple to legally terminate their marriage by Court Judgment. It also involves handling issues regarding child custody, maintenance, and division of the matrimonial assets. The assistance of a competent and compassionate divorce lawyer who can provide legal advice and support is invaluable.
Divorce refers to the legal action of dissolving a marriage. To divorce in Singapore, the filing party must be able to satisfy the only accepted ground for divorce, which is the “irretrievable breakdown of marriage”. This means that either or both parties have become definitively unable or unwilling to live or reconcile with one another.
There are many reasons why a couple’s marriage might end, and in Singapore, divorce is available for them provided that they can show sufficient evidence of what the Women’s Charter defines as the “irretrievable breakdown of marriage.”
Divorce in Singapore refers to a legal procedure that terminates a marriage. In Singapore, divorce involves a two-stage process, whether it is a contested or uncontested divorce.
Read about three cases of divorce and child custody that our firm handled, and how we've helped our clients.
The division of matrimonial assets in Singapore during a divorce is a complex and sometimes contentious process.
When marriages end in divorce, matrimonial assets are divided in a just and equitable manner.
Commencing from 1 July 2024, a new fact can be cited by divorcing couples in establishing that there was an irretrievable breakdown of marriage,
Under the laws of Singapore, the process of divorce is divided into two stages namely, establishing the grounds of divorce and the ancillary issues (i.e. maintenance, children issues and division of matrimonial assets).