Legal guides

Plain answers to common questions about divorce

General information on Singapore law, written in everyday language. Read up before you decide anything, then speak with a lawyer about your own situation.

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Divorce guides

Ending a marriage, arrangements for the children, and dividing what you own.

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The divorce itself

3 articles

The divorce process in Singapore, step by step

A Singapore divorce happens in two broad stages: first the court decides whether the marriage should end, then it deals with children, maintenance and property. This guide walks through each step, from the parenting programme before filing to the Final Judgment.

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Can I get divorced in Singapore? The three-year rule, jurisdiction and the six facts

Before a divorce can begin, three questions must be answered: have you been married long enough, does the Singapore court have jurisdiction, and can you show the marriage has broken down? This guide explains each one, including divorce by mutual agreement.

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Uncontested and contested divorce: how the simplified track works

How much you and your spouse can agree before filing shapes the whole divorce. This guide explains the simplified and normal tracks, what changed in October 2024, and what reaching agreement early can save you.

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Children

1 article

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Children after divorce: custody, care and control, and access

For most parents, the children are the most important part of a divorce. This guide explains what custody, care and control, and access mean, and how the court decides when parents cannot agree.

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Maintenance and assets

2 articles

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Maintenance after divorce: wives, children and incapacitated husbands

Maintenance is the financial support one family member is ordered to pay another. This guide explains who can claim it, how the court works out the amount, and what happens if it is not paid.

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Dividing matrimonial assets, including the HDB flat

Who gets what is often the hardest part of a divorce to agree. This guide explains which assets are shared, how the court approaches the division, and what to consider if you own an HDB flat.

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Getting started

1 article

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Preparing for your first meeting with a divorce lawyer

A first meeting with a divorce lawyer is mostly about understanding your situation and your options. A little preparation makes it far more useful. This checklist sets out what to bring, what to think about and what to ask.

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