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Why Choose Us
Are You Eligible to File?
- You must have been married for at least 3 years before you can file for divorce in Singapore.
- Married less than 3 years? You may still apply if you can show exceptional hardship or your spouse’s exceptional depravity — these applications are rare and need strong evidence.
- Your marriage must be legally recognised in Singapore, with at least one spouse domiciled here or habitually resident for 3 years before filing.
Muslim marriages solemnised under Muslim law are handled by the Syariah Court, not the Family Justice Courts, and follow a separate process.
Grounds of Divorce
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Adultery
Your spouse committed adultery, and you find it intolerable to continue living with them.
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Unreasonable Behaviour
Your spouse has behaved such that you cannot reasonably be expected to keep living with them.
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Desertion
Your spouse has deserted you for a continuous period of at least 2 years before filing.
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Separation
3 years apart with your spouse’s consent, or 4 years apart without it.
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Mutual Agreement
Both spouses jointly agree the marriage has broken down — no fault needs to be attributed to either party.
Stage One — Interim Judgment: Dissolving the Marriage
- The court examines your eligibility and the fact you’ve relied on.
- If satisfied, it grants an Interim Judgment.
- The marriage isn’t fully dissolved yet — the legal process to end it is underway.
Stage Two — Ancillary Matters
- Division of matrimonial assets
- Maintenance for a spouse and/or children
- Custody, care & control, and access for children below 21
How Long Does It Take?
Uncontested · Simplified Track
4-6 months
from filing to Final Judgment, where both the divorce and all ancillary matters are agreed.
Contested · Normal Track
12+ months
Can take considerably longer in complex or heavily disputed cases requiring mediation or trial.
Other Areas of Divorce
Our Courtroom Victories
Our Lawyers
With over 70 years of collective divorce law expertise across our team, we offer strategic guidance on the most complex divorce cases, covering custody and maintenance matters, division of matrimonial assets, annulments, deed of separation, as well as mediation and settlement support.
Testimonials
Uncontested Divorce
From $2,000
Fees Include
- Preparation and filing of divorce papers
- Mediation sessions
- Childcare arrangements
- Spousal support
- Division of complex assets — property, CPF funds, and other joint investments
Contested Divorce
From $10,000
Fees Include
- Preparation and filing of divorce papers
- Mediation sessions
- Childcare arrangements
- Spousal support
- Division of complex assets — property, CPF funds, and other joint investments
FAQs
What is Custody, Care and Control?
Access is the right of the parent who doesn’t have care and control to spend time with the child.
*In most cases, both parents share custody (called joint custody), but only one parent is given care and control, while the other is granted access.
What are the 2 types of divorce?
| Uncontested Divorce | Contested Divorce |
|---|---|
| Both parties agree on the dissolution of marriage and its consequences. | The spouses can’t agree either on divorce or material consequences, or both. |
| The divorce process takes 3-6 months. | The whole process takes up to 12 months, perhaps longer. |
| A limited list of documents is required. | The maximum number of documents required including facts proving the reason for divorce. |
| The legal fees are lower. | Lawyers charge much higher fees that be time-based. |
| Presence in court is not required. | Both parties shall appear in court for mediation or trial as the case may be. |
What are the Different Kinds of Custody Orders?
- Sole Custody – One parent has full authority to make all major decisions about the child without needing the other parent’s consent.
- Joint Custody – Both parents must make major decisions together, even if the child lives primarily with one of them.
- Hybrid Custody – One parent has custody, but must consult the other for specific matters (e.g., education or religion).
- Split Custody – Rare cases where siblings are split between both parents, each with custody of different children.
What Are the Different Types of Access?
- Reasonable Access – Flexible, based on mutual agreement between parents.
- Fixed Access – Structured schedule (e.g., weekends, holidays, birthdays).
- Supervised Access – Required when the court feels a third party should be present for the child’s safety.
- No Access – Ordered in rare cases where contact may harm the child’s well-being.
How Do the Courts Decide on Custody Arrangements?
The child’s welfare is the court’s top priority. The court considers:
- The child’s needs (emotional, educational, and physical)
- The ability of each parent to meet those needs
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Any history of abuse, neglect, or family violence
- The willingness of each parent to cooperate
*In most cases, the court encourages joint parental responsibility, unless there are compelling reasons not to.
How can I find a good divorce lawyer in Singapore?
My spouse doesn't want a divorce. Can I file anyway?
Can I Get a Divorce in Singapore If I Am Bankrupt?
However, bankruptcy may affect the financial and asset-related matters in the divorce. For divorce applications, the court requires information relating to bankruptcy proceedings where applicable, including bankruptcy search results.
If either spouse is an undischarged bankrupt, this can also affect how matrimonial assets are dealt with. Family Justice Courts documents state that the Official Assignee must be informed in certain ancillary proceedings involving an undischarged bankrupt. This is because a bankrupt person’s property may vest in the bankruptcy trustee, subject to applicable exceptions.
How Does Owning a Company or Business Affect Divorce Proceedings in Singapore?
Where business ownership may become relevant is during the ancillary matters stage of the divorce. The Family Justice Courts identify the division of matrimonial assets as one of the financial issues that may need to be resolved between the parties.
Accordingly, where a spouse has an interest in a company or business, its relevance will depend on the circumstances of the case and how it relates to the matrimonial asset pool. The parties may need to address their financial interests when the court considers the division of matrimonial assets.
If the spouses can agree on the divorce, the case may proceed on the simplified track. If they cannot agree on the divorce, it proceeds on the normal track, with ancillary matters such as the division of matrimonial assets subsequently dealt with by the court.
General Disclaimer
Please note that divorce timelines vary based on court schedules and the complexity of each case. While emergency filings may be submitted, acceptance is subject to judicial discretion and is not guaranteed.. The outcome of each case depends on each case’s circumstances.