Family Law - Circular Law Chambers

FAMILY LAW

Family affairs can cometimes leave you helpless and emotionally drained. Our Family Law practice group is able to understand and address our clients' concerns to assist them in achieving the best possible solution. Regardless of whether you are considering a divorce or an application for a personal protection order, our team of compassionate and dedicated lawyer will be at hand to alleviate the stress of your current predicament. Our specialized team of family lawyers are experienced in all areas of family law, including but not limited to:

Uncontested and Contested Divorce Proceedings
Nullity Proceedings
Drafting of Prenuptial and Postnuptial (Marital) Agreements
Drafting of Deed of Separation
Interim Custody, Care and Control and Access (Guardianship of Infants Act) Applications
Interim Maintenance Applications (MSS)
Family Violence Proceedings (PPO)
Variation Applications
Injunction Applications
Cross-Border Divorces

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Are you eligible to file for divorce in Singapore?

You have to be married for at least 3 years and at least one of the parties has to be a Singapore citizen or fulfils residency requirement (lived and worked in Singapore for at least 3 years).

2. What are your options if you do not fulfil the requirements to file for divorce in Singapore?

You may wish to consider filing for an annulment instead. If your application is successful, your marriage will be void. The most common reason for annulment in Singapore is one party's wilful refusal to consummate the marriage. In the alternative, you may also consider entering a deed of separation with your spouse.

3. How long does the divorce proceeding take?

If your divorce is uncontested (that is, all terms are agreed), you will receive the Interim Judgment within 1 month and the final Judgment within 4 months. Otherwise, the divorce proceedings may take up to a year.

4. Will I get the custody of my child?

Custody refers to the right to make major decisions on behalf of a child. In Singapore, most couples have joint custody of their child. The parent who has "care and control" of the child will get to live with the child on a day-to-day basis. Decisions on custody, care and control, and access are made based on the welfare of the child.

5. What will happen to my HDB flat/matrimonial home?

If you own a HDB flat with your spouse, the HDB flat will be surrendered to the HDB if you have not reached the mandatory occupancy period of 5 years, sold in the open market if both of you do not wish to retain the flat, or retained by one party after the divorce. Typically, you will have 6 months after the finalization of the divorce to surrender/ sell or transfer the flat. If you own a private apartment with your spouse, you may continue holding it together with you spouse if you wish to.

Disclaimer
Circular Law Chambers LLP maintains this website to provide information about the firm, its legal services, its lawyers, and various legal topics. The material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information is not intended to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a lawyer. No person should act or rely on any information in this presentation, information contained in this website without seeking the advice of a lawyer.

It is advisable that advice on legal matters should be sought from a competent lawyer. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Nor should it be based solely upon this presentation or information contained on this website.

Specialists

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Are you eligible to file for divorce in Singapore?

You have to be married for at least 3 years and at least one of the parties has to be a Singapore citizen or fulfils residency requirement (lived and worked in Singapore for at least 3 years).

2. What are your options if you do not fulfil the requirements to file for divorce in Singapore?

3. How long does the divorce proceeding take?

4. Will I get the custody of my child?

5. What will happen to my HDB flat/matrimonial home?

Disclaimer
Circular Law Chambers LLP maintains this website to provide information about the firm, its legal services, its lawyers, and various legal topics. The material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information is not intended to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a lawyer. No person should act or rely on any information in this presentation, information contained in this website without seeking the advice of a lawyer.

It is advisable that advice on legal matters should be sought from a competent lawyer. The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Nor should it be based solely upon this presentation or information contained on this website.

1. Are you eligible to file for divorce in Singapore?

2. What are your options if you do not fulfil the requirements to file for divorce in Singapore?

3. How long does the divorce proceeding take?

4. Will I get the custody of my child?

5. What will happen to my HDB flat/matrimonial home?

Denis Tan

Wong Jieh

Thomas Ng Hoe Lun

1. Are you eligible to file for divorce in Singapore?

2. What are your options if you do not fulfil the requirements to file for divorce in Singapore?

3. How long does the divorce proceeding take?

4. Will I get the custody of my child?

5. What will happen to my HDB flat/matrimonial home?