Plain answers to common legal questions
General information on Singapore law, written in everyday language. Read up before you decide anything, then speak with a lawyer about your own situation.
Divorce & family guides
How a divorce works in Singapore, and what happens to the home, the money and the children.
Getting divorced
4 articles
How does divorce work in Singapore?
A civil divorce in Singapore follows a set path: you must meet the basic conditions, prove that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, and then settle the practical arrangements for the family before the divorce becomes final.
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What is an uncontested (simplified) divorce, and what do we need to agree?
When both spouses agree on everything, the Family Justice Courts' simplified track lets the divorce go through on the papers. It is usually faster, cheaper and less stressful than a contested divorce, but only if the agreement is complete.
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Mediation, counselling and the Co-Parenting Programme in divorce
Singapore's family courts strongly encourage parents to settle disputes outside the courtroom. Parents of children under 21 must take part in a co-parenting programme before filing, and contested cases usually go through mediation and counselling.
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Can foreigners, or couples who married overseas, divorce in Singapore?
Many couples in Singapore married abroad, or include a spouse who is not Singaporean. Whether a Singapore court can hear their divorce depends on their connection to Singapore, and cross-border cases raise extra questions about assets, children and enforcement.
Read the guideChildren, money and safety
4 articles
How are matrimonial assets, including the HDB flat, divided on divorce?
Dividing property is often the hardest part of a divorce. The court first works out which assets are matrimonial assets, then divides them in a way that is just and equitable in the circumstances of the case.
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Maintenance for a spouse and children: who can claim, and how is it enforced?
Maintenance is ongoing financial support ordered by the court. Child maintenance is the norm; spousal maintenance depends on need. If payments stop, there are several ways to enforce an order.
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Custody, care and control, and access: arrangements for children after divorce
When parents separate, the court must approve arrangements for any child under 21. Singapore law separates three questions: who makes the big decisions, who the child lives with, and how the child keeps time with the other parent.
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Personal protection orders: protection from family violence
Family violence is not only physical. Singapore law offers court orders to protect family members, including urgent protection while an application is pending and orders that keep an abuser out of the home.
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