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 (DMA) 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.
Our client, “Mrs A”, approached us after enduring two years of an abusive marriage. Despite being married for less than the stipulated three years, we managed to successfully argue for an early divorce on her behalf based on the exceptional hardship she faced.
Rating
Working with this law firm was the best decision I made. From start to finish, the team was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely supportive. Legal matters can be stressful and overwhelming, but they guided me through every step with absolute clarity, patience, and warmth. Special thanks to Ms. Sherlyn Kaur and Mr. Baiross. Mr. Baiross provided sharp legal insight and strategic direction. Ms. Sherlyn Kaur was amazing with communication - always responsive, meticulous with details, and consistently reassuring throughout the entire process. They truly care about their clients as people, not just cases. I am deeply grateful for their hard work and highly recommend them to anyone seeking reliable legal representation!
Mr Baiross and his team helped me with my litigation case and offered really good advice. I am very appreciative of his work and expertise as it helped me close my case. Thank you🙏🏼🥹
Excellent service from Mr. Baiross and the team at IRB Law LLP. The consultation was clear, professional, and provided very practical solutions. Thanks!
Cannot praise the team at IRB Law enough... from Mohamed Baiross's prompt reply to my whatsapp message late in the night, to Hadhri's prompt follow-up and assistance, they made the process of getting of a POA a really smooth one. Given our tight deadline, the team was very patient and super duper helpful in answering our queries and lending the helping hand. Thank you so much again for everything, we really appreciate it. Kudos to the wonderful team! Cheers! 😀
Highly recommended! With their welcoming office, I had a great experience with IRB Law. Kudos to Mr. Ahmad Ghazi, Mr. Baiross, and the rest of the IRB Law team for their efficiency and excellent coordination. Special thanks to Mr. Ahmad Ghazi, who handled my queries with exceptional professionalism, patience, and dedication from the very beginning. He took the time to explain the process clearly, answered all my questions promptly, and provided clear legal advice on possible future scenarios as well. It was all smooth process within 2 weeks!
We engaged IRB for a recent case and had an absolutely wonderful experience with Mr Baiross and Mr Joel. From our very first consultation, we knew we were in good hands. Mr Baiross took the time to understand our situation and walked us through the potential consequences with so much empathy, patience and genuine concern. He never made us feel rushed, and his ability to explain everything clearly gave us a lot of reassurance during what was a very stressful period for us. It was clear from the very first conversation that he genuinely cared about helping us, and we knew we wanted to engage him and his team. We were also incredibly fortunate to work with Joel throughout the process. His friendly and approachable demeanour made it so easy to communicate with him. He always kept us focused on the end goal, while making the entire process feel much less daunting. At times, it genuinely felt like we were discussing things with a friend rather than a lawyer. What we appreciated most about Joel was his ability to empathise with our situation and understand how we were feeling before offering his thoughts and advice. He never made us feel like our concerns were insignificant, and we always felt heard, respected and supported. His professionalism, patience and personal touch really stood out to us. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a team that is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely empathetic and invested in their clients.
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.
Our client, “Mr B,” sought our assistance after his wife had moved out of their shared residence and cut all contact for more than four years. Leveraging our understanding of Singapore’s divorce law, we helped Mr B successfully file for divorce on grounds of long-term separation without consent.
Grounds for Divorce in Singapore
Under the Women’s Charter, you can file once your marriage has irretrievably broken down — which path you take depends on whether your spouse agrees.
Divorce by Mutual Agreement
Proving One of 5 Facts
- Adultery
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Desertion for at least 2 years
- Separation for at least 3 years, with consent
- Separation for at least 4 years, without consent
Divorce Services in Singapore
Divorce Counselling
Divorce Filings and Documents
Mediation Support
Contested and Uncontested Divorces
Division of Matrimonial Property
Child Custody and Support
Spousal Maintenance
Divorce Modifications
Comprehensive Family Law Services
The Divorce Process in Singapore
Five steps from filing to Final Judgment — the exact path depends on whether your spouse agrees. Here’s what to expect, and where things typically get harder without a lawyer.
File the Writ for Divorce
Your lawyer files the Writ for Divorce and supporting documents with the Family Justice Courts, then serves them on your spouse.
Your spouse responds
Interim Judgment is granted
Once the court is satisfied the marriage has irretrievably broken down, it grants the Interim Judgment — the marriage isn't dissolved yet, but the process is underway.
Ancillary matters are resolved
Division of property, maintenance, and child custody are settled — by agreement, or by the court if you can't agree.
Final Judgment is obtained
At least 3 months after the Interim Judgment, once ancillary matters are settled, either spouse can apply for the Final Judgment — officially ending the marriage.
How Long Does It Take?
Filing to Interim Judgment typically takes 6–8 weeks. By law there’s then a mandatory 3-month wait before the Final Judgment — so most uncontested cases finish in 4 to 6 months from start to finish.
Case conferences, mediation, and — if the dispute isn’t resolved — a trial, can push a contested divorce past 12 months. The complexity of asset division and custody disagreements is usually what drives this further.
Why Choose IRB Law Divorce Lawyers
Trusted and Experienced
Affordable, Transparent Legal Fees
Excellent Communication
Our Divorce Lawyers
Mohamed Baiross
- English/Tamil/Malay Fluency
- Appeals, Litigation & Mediation Expertise
Kulvinder Kaur
- English/Tamil/Punjabi Fluency
- Appeals, Litigation & Mediation Expertise
Quek Liuyong
- English/Chinese Fluency
- Appeals & Higher Court Expertise
Caryn Lee
- English/Chinese Fluency
- Appeals & Higher Court Expertise
Jessvir Kaur
- English/Chinese/Hindi/Punjabi Fluency
- Appeals & Higher Court Expertise
Faustina
- English Fluency
- Appeals, Litigation & Mediation Expertise
Joel Tay
- English/Chinese Fluency
- Appeals & Higher Court Expertise
Vicneshri Vicnaysen
- English/Tamil Fluency
- Appeals, Litigation & Mediation Expertise
Leong Zhen Yang
- English/Chinese Fluency
- Appeals & Higher Court Expertise
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 .
What are the costs of getting a divorce in Singapore?
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.
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?
Can I get a divorce in Singapore if I am bankrupt?
How does owning a company or business affect divorce proceedings in Singapore?
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