Family Litigation

A divorce in Singapore runs in two stages: first the court decides whether to end the marriage and grants an Interim Judgment, then it deals with the children, maintenance and the division of matrimonial assets. Where spouses disagree, the court manages the case through case conferences and will often direct mediation or counselling before any hearing. As of 2026, firm guides estimate that a contested divorce takes roughly 12 to 18 months, and longer if many issues are disputed.

Read the papers carefully and note the date you received them, because the deadlines run from service. For cases filed on or after 15 October 2024, you generally have 14 days to file a notice to contest and 28 days to file a reply or a cross-application. If you do nothing, the divorce can go ahead without you, so it is sensible to get advice early.

No. The court divides matrimonial assets in whatever proportions it considers just and equitable, after looking at what each spouse contributed, both financially and in caring for the home and family. In long marriages where one spouse was the only earner, past decisions have tended towards an equal split, but that is a tendency and not a fixed rule.

Both spouses must make full and frank disclosure of their finances. If there is evidence that a spouse has hidden assets, the court can draw an adverse inference, either by putting a value on the hidden assets and adding it to the pool or by giving the other spouse a larger share. Suspicion alone is not enough, so the evidence you can point to matters.

Both parents have a legal duty to maintain their children, whoever the children live with. There is no fixed formula: the court looks at the children's reasonable needs and what each parent can afford. Maintenance usually runs until the child turns 21, though it can continue beyond that in some situations, such as further studies.

Custody is about making the major decisions in a child's life, such as education, health and religion, and is usually shared by both parents. Care and control decides who the child lives with and who handles day-to-day matters. The other parent is normally given access, meaning regular time with the child.

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a Family Court order that stops a family member from committing family violence against you or another family member. Since 2 January 2025, family violence covers physical, sexual and emotional or psychological abuse. The court can also make related orders, such as an expedited order while your application is pending and a domestic exclusion order keeping the other person out of the home.