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Expat Divorce in Singapore

Expat Divorce in Singapore

At IRB Law, our expat divorce lawyers in Singapore are known for their dedication to achieving the best possible results for our clients, as well as for providing transparent and affordable fees. During this challenging period of your life, our expat divorce lawyers will stand by your side to help you navigate the divorce process smoothly and with confidence.

Recognized among Singapore’s Best Law Firms by The Straits Times, we will serve your best interests in both contested and uncontested expat divorce processes. Our expat divorce lawyers in Singapore advise on eligibility matters, file divorce papers, assist in resolving disputes with your spouse, and provide full assistance in ancillary matters.

Comprehensive Guidance on Expat Divorce in Singapore

Family Law for Expat Divorce in Singapore

The Singapore law allows divorce for couples married either in Singapore or abroad if they meet the eligibility criteria described below. The divorce process for expats follows the same path as outlined in the Women’s Charter, which governs all divorces in Singapore.

At the same time, expat divorce can be more nuanced due to the immigration status, presence of assets abroad, foreign orders, or potential child relocation, requiring a tailored legal strategy.

Eligibility Criteria for Expat Divorce

If a couple, where at least one spouse is an expat, seeks to file for divorce in Singapore, it must meet the following eligibility criteria:
At least one of the spouses needs to be a permanent resident in Singapore or must have lived in Singapore continuously for at least three years before filing.
The couple should be married for at least three years before filing, unless granted an exception, for example, due to the presence of exceptional hardship.

Grounds for International Divorce

In Singapore, the sole legal ground for expat divorce is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage due to adultery, unreasonable or intolerable behaviour, desertion, or separation. From 1 July 2024, married couples can also file for divorce by mutual agreement if they agree that their marriage is beyond reconciliation.

End-to-End Legal Support Through the Expat Divorce Process

IRB Law’s expat divorce lawyers in Singapore offer comprehensive legal support at every stage of the divorce process, from filing divorce papers and mediation, to obtaining the Certificate of Final Judgement of Divorce.

Filing the divorce papers

Our lawyers will assist you in the emotionally challenging time of divorce by preparing the full package of documents you need to file to initiate the divorce process, including:

Writ of Summons	Acknowledgement of Service to confirm receipt of divorce papers by the other spouse
Statement of Particulars	Memorandum of Service
Statement of Claim	Affidavit of Assets and Means (for contested divorce)
Proposed parenting plan if you have children	Spouses’ submissions to the court (for contested divorce)
Proposed property plan for HDB flat or other property

Mediation

The Singapore family law and court practice discourage divorce litigation, which can be a long and costly process. Our family lawyers help divorcing spouses understand the differences in contested vs. uncontested divorce in Singapore and reach an agreement on divorce matters through professional mediation.

Interim Judgement

The court dissolves a marriage by granting an Interim Judgement if all the eligibility requirements, grounds for divorce, and document requirements are met and both spouses agree to divorce. Our expat lawyers will stand by your side at this critical stage to ensure that all legal requirements are fully met.

Ancillary Matters

Ancillary matters, such as child custody and maintenance, or division of assets in expat divorce cases in Singapore, can be among the greatest stumbling blocks for divorcing couples. Our lawyers assist spouses in negotiating on these important questions and prepare supporting documents for the court to proceed to the Final Judgment.

Сourt Trial in Contested Divorce

In case your spouse disagrees with the divorce or any of its terms, for example, spousal maintenance, property division, or child custody, the IRB Law’s expat divorce lawyers will provide a strong legal representation and advocate for your best interests in the courtroom.

Final Judgement

After the settlement of all ancillary matters, you must wait 3 months from the date of the Interim Judgment to apply for Final Judgement to finalise your divorce. The IRB Law legal team helps with filing the application for Final Judgement and can further assist with expat immigration matters following the divorce in Singapore.

Assistance with Ancillary Matters

Our expat divorce lawyers in Singapore can facilitate your reaching an agreement with your spouse on ancillary matters, including child custody and maintenance, division of matrimonial assets, spousal maintenance, as well as protect your interests in contested proceedings.

Child Custody

If you and your divorcing spouse have children, you will need to agree on child custody, care, and access rights or have the court decide on these matters. In many cases, the court awards joint custody to both parents, making decisions based on the child’s best interests.

Division of Assets

In the optimal scenario, it’s best when the spouses can agree on how to split their matrimonial property between themselves. If the court has to intervene, the judge will decide the matter during the hearing based on each spouse’s contribution to their marriage.

Spousal Maintenance

In Singapore, a husband is not entitled to maintenance unless he is disabled. On the other hand, the husband is obliged to maintain his wife during the marriage and after divorce based on the standard of living the couple had while married.

Child Maintenance

In case of divorce, the obligation to provide for child maintenance is shared by both spouses. The court determines the amount of child maintenance based on your and your ex-spouse’s incomes, the child’s living costs, previous standard of living, and other factors.

Immigration Status

The Dependent Pass for expatriates who are married to Singapore residents or citizens is usually cancelled after a divorce. The divorced expat spouse will need to change their status, for example, by applying for an Employment Pass or another eligible visa, to remain in Singapore.

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Jenny S.

04:21 30 Aug 25

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🙏🏻

S T.

11:54 26 Aug 25

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.

Nour A.

09:05 26 Aug 25

Going through a divorce was one of the most difficult chapters in my life, but working with both Mr Mohamed Fazal & Ms Faisarah(Paralegal) made the process far less stressful.They were incredibly professional, always responsive to my questions, and guided me with clarity and compassion. I appreciated how they balanced assertiveness with empathy, helping me reach a fair settlement without unnecessary conflict.I am deeply grateful for their efforts and integrity. May Allah bless them both in this world and the hereafter for the kindness and dedication they showed me. I wholeheatedly recommend Mr Mohamed Fazal Bin Abdul Hamid to anyone in need of a trustworthy and skilled divorce lawyer.Sincerely, Nour🙏

Zakariah K.

03:01 21 Aug 25

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Dzuleqhmal and Mr. Aidil for the support and professionalism. Your expertise and attention to detail, and to achieving the best possible outcome have been truly appreciated.

Sakthi V.

10:30 20 Aug 25

I engaged IRB Law to assist with legal proceedings to obtain a letter of authorisation for my late aunt’s assets, and I could not have asked for a better experience. The lead lawyer, Mr. Baisross, handled the matter with professionalism, clarity, and efficiency.I would like to give special mention to Ms. Thevi, the paralegal, who truly went above and beyond. She personally travelled to my home to obtain signatures from my mother, who has difficulty mobilising. Her kindness, patience, and dedication really stood out.The entire team was very prompt in providing updates and answering queries, and their fees were transparent and affordable. Importantly, they had a Tamil-speaking team, which made a world of difference as my mum is not comfortable with English. The way they patiently explained everything in Tamil gave my family great peace of mind.Thank you to Mr. Baisross, Ms. Thevi, and the IRB Law team for making what could have been a stressful process smooth and reassuring. Highly recommended!

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Mohamed Baiross

Founding & Managing Partner, IRB Law LLP

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.

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Kulvinder Kaur

Partner

Kulvinder Kaur is a prominent commercial and corporate lawyer and an expert in litigation matters. Kaur is well-known in all courts of Singapore for strong legal representation in the most complex cases across multiple practice areas.

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How long does it take to get an expat divorce in Singapore?

At a minimum, a non-contested divorce process for Singapore expats can take no less than 4 months, including one month for the Interim Judgement and the 3-month mandatory waiting period for the Final Judgement. In rare cases, it is possible to obtain a Final Judgement earlier when there are compelling reasons.

In practice, the uncontested expat divorce process in Singapore can take between 4 and 6 months or longer, or up to a year or longer for contested cases.

What is the cost of expat divorce?

The costs of expat divorce in Singapore comprise court fees, lawyers’ fees, and the cost of the procedure, for example, HDB flat valuation fees. At IRB Law, we offer transparent and affordable legal fees for expat divorce, which we discuss during our free initial consultation.

Can I divorce if I have been married for only a short time?

In Singapore, you need to wait at least three years from the date of marriage before filing for divorce unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example, experiencing unreasonable or cruel behaviour by your spouse.

As an expat, can I get a divorce in another jurisdiction?

While an expatriate living in Singapore can seek a divorce in another jurisdiction, a Singaporean court has the right to refuse to accept this divorce depending on the individual circumstances. For more detailed information, please don’t hesitate to turn to IRB Law expat divorce lawyers for a free initial consultation.

Am I eligible to file for divorce in Singapore as an expat?

You can file for divorce as an expat living in Singapore if either you or your spouse is domiciled in Singapore (meaning Singapore is your permanent home) or has lived here continuously for at least three years before filing. In most cases, you must also have been married for at least three years, unless exceptions apply. For more questions on how to file for divorce in Singapore as an expat, please don’t hesitate to contact our divorce legal team.

What are the grounds for divorce in Singapore?

The only ground for expat divorce in Singapore is irretrievable breakdown of marriage due to adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, or separation. You and your spouse can also file for divorce by mutual agreement if you consider that your marriage is irretrievably broken beyond reconciliation.