Getting a Divorce in Singapore

Every day (including today), I receive many enquiries from potential clients about getting a divorce in Singapore.

Getting a divorce in Singapore is easy if you fulfil the following requirements:

  1. You have been married for at least 3 years;
  2. At least one of you is a Singapore citizen, or at least one of you has lived in Singapore for the last 3 years; and
  3. All terms (including assets, children and maintenance/ alimony) are agreed.

The process is as such:

  1. Divorce papers are prepared.
  2. Signing is arranged.
  3. Papers are submitted to Court.
  4. The Court grants the divorce. The end.

In the event terms are not agreed, chances are you will proceed to mediation (negotiation) with your spouse. With the assistance of your lawyers and the mediator-judge, it is likely that you will come to a settlement without going to Court. Statistically, your chances may be as high as 75%!

Getting a divorce in Singapore sounds easy. It is indeed not difficult.

From a family lawyer’s point of view, what may be difficult will be:

  1. Coming to the realisation that your marriage has broken down irretrievably; and
  2. Getting used to life as a divorcee/ single parent.

According to experts, the signs of a breakup are:

  1. Contempt: seeing your partner as beneath you, rather than your equal.
  2. Criticism: taking something your partner did and turning it into a defining statement on his/ her character.
  3. Defensiveness: sliding easily into emotionally-charged situations.
  4. Stonewalling: blocking off conversation from your partner.

See: Erin Brodwin, “How to tell if you’re going to break up, according to a psychologist who’s studied couples for decades”, Business Insider US, 1 July 2017

Life as a divorcee may not be easy, especially if you have care and control of your children.

You may need to think about housing issues, having day-care for your children, etc. Importantly, you will still need to interact with your ex-spouse, as you are not able to deny your ex-spouse of his/ her rights to access the children.

For more information on getting a divorce in Singapore, contact us today!

You may also be interested to read more about:

1. Divorce and Separation

2. Annulment (Nullity) of Marriage

3. Children’s Issues

4. Matrimonial Assets

5. Maintenance Issues (Alimony)

6. Family Violence

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