How We Help With Divorce in Singapore
When a marriage breaks down, dealing with divorce and separation can be profoundly distressing. Beyond the immediate emotional toll, there are critical legal considerations to manage, where you will benefit from the assistance of divorce lawyers.
These include filing divorce papers, mediation sessions, childcare arrangements, spousal support, and the division of complex assets such as property, CPF funds, and other joint investments. These multifaceted challenges underline the necessity to engage experienced and competent divorce lawyers, capable of offering actionable advice and empathetic support.
Helping Navigate Singapore’s Divorce Law
When we first speak with our clients, we assist them in navigating Singapore’s divorce laws, including the Women’s Charter and the Family Justice Courts practice. We help our clients understand the divorce law, identify valid grounds for divorce, and assess their eligibility for filing for divorce in Singapore.
The “No-Fault” Divorce Principle in Singapore Law
A cornerstone of Singapore’s divorce law is the “no-fault” principle, introduced by the Divorce by Mutual Agreement (DBA) scheme. Generally, this means that the Family Courts do not consider the reasons leading to the breakdown of the marriage when determining the division of matrimonial assets or the assessment of maintenance. This is where our seasoned divorce lawyers can provide valuable guidance, aiming for the most favourable possible outcomes for our clients.
Accessing Your Eligibility
Generally, a married couple can only apply for divorce in Singapore after being married for at least three years. However, there are exceptions to this rule in certain circumstances. For example, in cases involving unreasonable behaviour or violence against a spouse, divorce may be granted even before the three-year period has elapsed. Alternatively, there could be grounds for the annulment of a marriage, such as in situations of wilful non-consummation.
Understanding Grounds for Divorce
In Singapore, the law allows either spouse to file for divorce if their marriage is irretrievably broken and attempts at reconciliation have failed. If both spouses consent, they can file for divorce by mutual agreement. However, either spouse may apply to the court for divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, even if the other spouse does not consent or avoids the process.
According to the Women’s Charter, the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage may result from:
- adultery
- unreasonable behaviour
- desertion for a minimum of two years
- separation for at least three years with the consent of the other spouse
- separation for at least four years without consent
- mutual agreement between the spouses
Rating
My sincere thanks to Mr Baiross for genuinely listening to my issue and willing to provide honest feedback and clarification
I had a great experience having IRB Law to assist my sons in the inheritance matters . Mr Baiross and the teams assist me throughout the journey til everything goes smoothly . Mr Fadil too was very patient in addressing my concerns . He help me with all the doubts and explain well . Thank you 🙏
Thank you for the excellent support and service. From my first meeting with Baiross to the continued support and advice by Crystal over a 12 month period and to achieve a excellent result I would recommend IRB Law and Crystal to anyone looking for a legal advisory and support 🙏🏼👍🙏🏼
I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Mohamed Baiross and his law firm. At a time when we were feeling extremely helpless and urgently needed assistance, he was willing to step in and offer help, even during the weekend. His entire team was also incredibly cooperative and supportive throughout the process, making everything much smoother and reassuring. This clearly shows that his firm is not just about business, but is genuinely committed to helping people in need. It gave us comfort and hope at a very critical moment, and we are truly grateful for their sincerity, dedication, and teamwork. Thanks you🙏🏻
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Baiross, Mr Basheer and Team IRB who handled my case with a positive outcome that was beyond my expectations. Mr Baiross and Mr Basheer provided me with detailed sound legal analysis, offered the available options, recommended the actions I needed to take to strengthen my case and strategized the approach taken. They were always patient in explaining the legal jargons to me so that I can make informed decisions. IRB's charges were also highly competitive and they often graciously go the extra mile. IRB indeed lives up to be a Singapore's Best Law Firm, and I highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal advice.
We hired IRB to draft an agreement and handle a commercial dispute. IRB proved to be efficient, fast and responsive, including replies over the weekend and public holidays. Comparatively, our legal opponent's lawyers were slow and often cut off work at 5 pm, despite the fact that the settlement negotiation proposed by their client had a short deadline - they also claimed to be Straits Times Singapore's Best Law Firms. We had used other lawyers and notaries in the past, including hiring a well-advertised law firm to handle a fraud case, but it turned out to be disappointing because they gave poor advice and were expensive. Overall, IRB proved to be outstanding in giving speedy, concise advice and was cost-effective. Thanking Baiross, Crystal and team!
Our company recently had the pleasure of working with Mr Baiross, Ms Crystal, Mr Quek and Mr Desmond from IRB for our civil case, and we cannot recommend IRB team highly enough. From the moment we walked into their office, we felt welcomed and understood. The team took the time to listen to our concerns and explain the legal process in a way that was easy to comprehend. Their expertise in civil law is evident; IRB guided us through every step with professionalism and care. IRB team was always quick to respond to our emails and calls, making us feel like a priority throughout the entire process. Their attention to detail is remarkable, and we appreciated how they prepared for each meeting with comprehensive notes and strategies. One of the aspects we were most impressed with was their negotiation skills. They were able to secure a favorable settlement that exceeded our expectations. It was clear that they had our best interests at heart, which made a stressful situation much more manageable. The fees were transparent, and there were no hidden costs, which we greatly appreciated. IRB provided a clear breakdown of their charges from the outset, and we felt that their rates were reasonable for the level of service provided. Overall, we are extremely satisfied with the outcome of our case and grateful to have had Mr. Baiross by our side. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated team of lawyers, look no further than IRB Law.
Expressing my sincerest gratitude for the excellent legal support and professionalism provided by Sharifah Nabilah throughout our case. Nabilah joined our team later but at a crucial point. She was so committed to our case and got herself up to speed in no time. I enjoyed having her on my team and working with her, making my entire case ordeal that much more bearable. Her legal arguments and writing are cogent - she is definitely born to be a lawyer, as I always tell her. Such a blessing to have met her and to have had her fight our case for us. Also a special mention to Mr Baiross, without whom none of this would be possible. He is such a compassionate lawyer, and always reminded us that all of this is a test from God, and to be patient. It kept us grounded and gave us strength to go through this ordeal. Well, thanks to the awesome team at IRB, we won our case and got a rather favourable outcome. Very thankful and would recommend to anyone in need of expert legal counsel.
I had an excellent experience with IRB Law LLP, particularly with Mr. Baiross, Ms. Sharifah, and their team. From the very beginning, the communication and process were incredibly swift—setting up a meeting with the lawyers was seamless. They were highly responsive, addressing all my queries promptly and providing clear, practical advice on how to navigate my situation. Their guidance gave me confidence and clarity during a challenging time. I am truly thankful and grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and unwavering support. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance.
The lawyers Mr Baiross and Ms Simran have help me with a criminal charge case. My maximum sentence was 4 years and it drop to 3 months and it drop even further to just 10 days. My case was ongoing for 10 months plus and I'm glad that it is finally over now 😊👍
Fee
Contact us for a free initial consultation.
IRB Law Divorce Services Include
Divorce Counselling
Our experienced divorce lawyers support our clients with compassion and professionalism, helping them navigate Singapore’s divorce law during the challenging period of divorce. We can help you understand your options and choose the most expedient and cost-effective strategy to achieve the best possible outcome in your divorce.
Divorce Filings and Documents
At IRB Law, our lawyers assist clients every step of their divorce, helping with paperwork, filings, and court documents. We ensure that all documents are accurately made, helping you avoid omissions and enabling the most expedient process.
Mediation Support
The divorce laws in Singapore and the Family Justice Courts promote amicable resolution of disputes between divorcing spouses through mediation, which helps reduce the emotional toll of the divorce process and settle the differences. We approach each case with the intention to handle the divorce process in a non-confrontational manner to foster a supportive environment, relieve emotional strain and reduce financial stress.
Contested and Uncontested Divorces
Division of Matrimonial Property
Child Custody and Support
Spousal Maintenance
Divorce Modifications
Comprehensive Family Law Services
Why Work With IRB Law Divorce Lawyers
Trusted and Experienced
Clients trust our lawyers for their extensive experience in all types of divorce cases, including the most contentious and complicated. We help clients achieve the best possible outcomes in their divorce with competence and strong legal representation in court.
Affordable, Transparent Legal Fees
At IRB Law, we understand that the costs of divorce are crucial for anyone going through these trying times. We are committed to offering transparent, affordable fees for divorce services to relieve your financial stress and help you proceed with your divorce with confidence.
Excellent Communication
Our divorce lawyers will ensure seamless communication throughout your divorce process. We lead with compassion to support you during this challenging period of your life and are always available for questions and assistance to guide your divorce matter as efficiently as possible.
General Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a divorce in Singapore?
What are the legal requirements for divorce in Singapore?
What is the process of getting a divorce in Singapore?
If your spouse contests the divorce, the respondent spouse will have to file an objection with the court and serve it on the applicant. The court will then schedule case conferences, and if the matter is not resolved by agreement or mediation, a trial will be held for the judge to decide.
After the court grants an Interim Judgment to dissolve the marriage, the divorce process moves to the next stage for the settlement of ancillary matters. These include division of property, maintenance, and child custody. After settling the ancillary matters and at least three months after the Interim Judgment (whichever is later), the spouses can obtain a Final Judgment through the court system, after which they will be officially divorced.
How to cope with the emotional impact of divorce in Singapore?
Do you have any tips for going through a divorce in Singapore?
How long does the divorce process take?
If your divorce is contested, the entire process often takes 12 months or longer, depending on the nature of the dispute.
What happens to my CPF money after divorce?
Am I eligible to seek a divorce?
- You or your spouse is domiciled in Singapore or habitually resident in Singapore for 3 of the past 4 years, or the respondent spouse is the resident at filing,
- Have been married for a minimum of 3 years, except where the spouse filing for divorce has suffered exceptional hardship, or there has been exceptional depravity on the part of the other spouse.
- Prove irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact our law firm’s office for a free, no-obligation discussion.
What are the legal reasons for divorce in Singapore?
- Adultery: The applicant finds it intolerable to live with the respondent due to adultery. Adequate evidence is required to prove the respondent’s act of adultery. The applicant may hire a private investigator to gather evidence. If the applicant could not provide adequate evidence, it is advisable for them to opt for another ground for the divorce, unless the respondent spouse admits adultery.
- Unreasonable behaviour: The respondent has behaved in an unreasonable manner that the applicant finds it impossible to continue living with the respondent.
- Desertion: The respondent spouse deserted the applicant for a minimum of 2 years, where the respondent shows no intention or sign of returning.
- Separation: The parties have lived apart for at least 3 years with consent or 4 years without consent.
- Mutual agreement: The spouses can file for divorce if they mutually agree that their marriage is broken beyond reconciliation.
What are the costs of getting a divorce in Singapore?
How can I find a good divorce lawyer in Singapore?
What resources are available for people going through a divorce in Singapore?
My spouse doesn't want a divorce. Can I file anyway?
What happens to the HDB flat after divorce?
Our Lawyers
Meet Our Key Lawyers
Mohamed Baiross
Mohamed Baiross is the managing partner of IRB Law and one of the nation's leading lawyers in multiple practice areas, including civil, corporate, and commercial law. With over three decades of experience as a business lawyer, Mohamed Baiross has built a renowned corporate law firm in Singapore, providing expert legal services to global corporations and local businesses.
Mohamed Fazal
Fazal is a partner at IRB Law, and his practice encompasses a broad spectrum of contentious matters such as arbitration, civil, criminal, and family. He handles both Civil and Muslim matters.
Insights
Access Our Learning Centre
