Divorce Lawyer Singapore
Guidance at Every Stage of Divorce
Divorce Lawyer Singapore
Guidance at Every Stage of Divorce
A Clearer Way Forward with Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Singapore
If you are considering divorce, understanding your position early can make a meaningful difference.
At Gloria James-Civetta & Co, our team of divorce lawyers in Singapore guides individuals through every stage of the process, from the first questions, to planning your next steps, to resolving complex matrimonial matters.
Understanding the Divorce Process
Gain clarity on how divorce works, what to expect, and how to prepare.
Plan Your Situation Strategically
Receive tailored guidance from an experienced divorce lawyer in Singapore, including considerations relating to children, housing, and finances.
“It’s not hard to make decisions when you understand your options”
Our Divorce & Family Law Services
Child Custody, Assets and Financial Matters
Divorce often involves decisions relating to children, housing, and finances.
Our team guides clients through:
Child Custody arrangements, including care and control and access
Division of matrimonial assets in Singapore
Financial matters following separation
Understanding how these issues are typically approached allows you to prepare more effectively before taking formal steps
Explore Your Options With Confidence
Confidential consultation to understand your situation and the options available to you.
Why Clients Choose Our Divorce Lawyers
Founding Lawyer Ms Gloria James-Civetta brings over 30 years of experience in divorce and family law. She leads one of the largest dedicated matrimonial law teams in Singapore
Dedicated matrimonial lawyers experienced in mediation and court proceedings
Experienced divorce lawyers handling complex and high-conflict cases
Practical guidance and support throughout the divorce process
Mediation-trained family lawyers focused on resolving family disputes
Explore Your Options With Confidence
Confidential consultation to understand your situation and the options available to you.
Understanding the Divorce Process in Singapore
Divorce in Singapore is a two-stage process, which comprises several procedual steps. This includes filing, interim judgement, and the resolution of ancillary matters such as child custory and division of matrimonial assets.
Whether you are considering an uncontested divorce in Singapore, or preparing for a more complex dispute, a clear understanding of the process enables you to approach your matter with a more comprehensive strategy.
Supporting You with Practical Knowledge
We have developed a comprehensive library of over 450 articles covering:
The divorce process in Singapore
Child custody and care arrangements
Division of matrimonial assets
Key considerations before filing for divorce
These resources are designed to help you better understand your position and make more informed decisions before taking formal steps.
Clear and Transparent Divorce Fees
We are committed to providing clear and reliable guidance while building lasting trust with our clients.
For those pursuing an amicable resolution, out uncontested divorce packages start from $1,500.
Not Ready to Divorce Yet?
Divorce Coaching Before You Decide
Not everyone is ready to proceed with divorce immediately. If you are still considering your options or feeling uncertain about children, finances, or the future, divorce coaching with Ms Gloria Jame-Civetta offers a structured way to gain clarity, organise your thoughts, and prepare before making important decisions.
Gain Clarity
Understand your options, explore concerns, and get clear on what matters most to you.
Prepare for Confidence
Organise your thoughts, plan important conversations, and feel more prepared for what’s ahead.
Make Informed Decisions
Move forward with greater understanding, balance, and confidence-on your own terms.
Consult Ms Gloria James
Divorce coaching with Ms Gloria James-Civetta provides guidance and support tailored to your unique situation.
Not every divorce in Singapore requires a lawyer. This guide explains when you can handle a divorce yourself, when legal advice may be advisable, and how issues involving children, property, CPF, maintenance and matrimonial assets can affect your decisions.
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Not every divorce in Singapore requires a lawyer. This guide explains when you can handle a divorce yourself, when legal advice may be advisable, and how issues involving children, property, CPF, maintenance and matrimonial assets can affect your decisions.
Divorce often involves more than deciding who keeps the matrimonial…
Many people believe that the spouse who earns more will automatically receive a larger share of the matrimonial assets after divorce. In Singapore, however, the courts take a broader approach by considering both direct financial contributions and indirect contributions such as caregiving, homemaking, and family support.
Many people approach divorce based on assumptions, myths and advice from friends or social media. This article explores the realities of divorce in Singapore, including child custody, care and control, fathers’ involvement, matrimonial assets and the importance of planning ahead.
Divorce can become significantly more complex when a family business is involved. Learn how Singapore courts assess company ownership, business valuation, matrimonial assets, shareholder interests, and overseas business structures when determining a fair division of assets during divorce proceedings.
Whether you are considering divorce, seeking clarity about your options, or ready to take the next step, obtaining the right information early can help you make informed decisions about the future.
Free Divorce Consultation
20 Minutes
General Information
An overview of the divorce process and your options under Singapore law.
Strategic Divorce Consultation
30 Minutes or 1 Hour
Tailored Legal Guidance
Advice and strategic guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
Not Sure Which Consultation is Right for You? Our team can help you determine the most suitable consultation option based on your circumstances and objectives.
100% Confidential Your privacy remains important to us.
Flexible Consultation Options 20-minute, 30-minute and 1-hour appointments available.
In Person, Phone or Video Call Choose the format that best suits your needs.
Ready to take the first step?
Whether you are seeking general information or tailored legal guidance, our team is here to help.
Common Questions About Divorce
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about divorce in Singapore.
In most cases, you may commence divorce proceedings after you have been married for at least three years, provided the Singapore Courts have jurisdiction over your case and you are able to establish that your marriage has irretrievably broken down by relying on one of the legally recognised facts.
If you have been married for less than three years, you generally cannot file for divorce unless you obtain the Court’s permission in exceptional circumstances. Depending on your situation, judicial separation may also be an available option.
Under Singapore law, there is one legal ground for divorce: the Court must be satisfied that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
To establish this, the Court must be satisfied by one of the following facts:
- Divorce by Mutual Agreement (DMA) – both spouses agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and satisfy the Court’s requirements.
- Unreasonable behaviour.
- Adultery.
- Desertion for a continuous period of at least two years.
- Three years’ separation with the other spouse’s consent.
- Four years’ separation, where consent is not required.
The most appropriate fact to rely upon will depend on your individual circumstances. A family lawyer can advise you on the approach that is most suitable for your case.
Yes. Before agreeing to any terms, it is important to understand your legal rights, obligations and the long-term consequences of the proposed settlement. Once terms are agreed and incorporated into Court documents, they may be difficult and costly to change.
In as little as 30 minutes, a Strategic Divorce Consultation with one of our experienced family lawyers can provide valuable insight into whether the proposed terms are appropriate, whether anything has been overlooked, and whether your interests are adequately protected. We can also explain the legal implications of the agreement, identify potential risks and advise you on the options available before you make a binding decision.
If you are searching for a divorce lawyer near you, look beyond location alone. Choosing the right lawyer is often more important than choosing the closest office.
Consider factors such as:
- Experience in Singapore family law and divorce matters.
- Whether the lawyer or law firm regularly handles cases similar to yours.
- Clear communication and practical advice.
- Transparent consultation options and fees.
Many divorce consultations today are conducted by Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp, meaning you do not necessarily need to choose the nearest law firm to receive quality legal advice. If you would like to understand the divorce process, we offer a complimentary 20-minute Divorce Process Call.
If you require advice tailored to your circumstances, including your legal rights, children, matrimonial assets or the best strategy for your case, you may arrange a Strategic Divorce Consultation (30 minutes or 1 hour) with one of our experienced family lawyers.
The first step is to consider whether you and your spouse are able to discuss the divorce and reach agreement on matters such as your children, maintenance and the division of matrimonial assets.
If both you and your spouse agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, you may be able to proceed by Divorce by Mutual Agreement (DMA). Where the divorce is uncontested and the relevant requirements are met, the case may also be suitable for the Simplified Track, which is generally a more streamlined Court process.
Once you have reached agreement, or substantial agreement, our family lawyers can prepare the necessary Court documents, ensure they comply with the Court’s requirements and guide you through the filing process.
If you and your spouse are unable to communicate or cannot agree on the divorce or the related issues, you should seek legal advice early. Our family lawyers can explain your options, advise you on the most appropriate process and help you take the next steps.
Yes. Your spouse does not have to agree before you can commence divorce proceedings in Singapore.
If you satisfy the legal requirements for divorce, you may still file for divorce even if your spouse refuses to cooperate, declines to discuss the divorce, or does not agree to the marriage ending. While this may result in a contested divorce, it does not prevent the divorce process from commencing.
If your spouse disputes the divorce or issues relating to the children, maintenance or the division of matrimonial assets, the Court may direct mediation, case conferences or hearings before making its decision. If your spouse simply ignores the divorce papers after they have been properly served, the proceedings may still continue, provided the relevant legal and procedural requirements have been met.
If you are unsure how your spouse’s position may affect your case, a Strategic Divorce Consultation (30 minutes or 1 hour) with one of our experienced family lawyers can help you understand your legal options, explain the likely process ahead and develop a strategy that best protects your interests.
The time required depends on whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, and whether there are disputes about children, maintenance or the division of matrimonial assets.
For many uncontested divorces, the Interim Judgment may be granted about one month after the divorce application is filed, provided all documents are in order. The Final Judgment can generally be obtained at least three months after the Interim Judgment, completing the divorce.
Where the parties cannot agree on ancillary matters such as the division of assets, child arrangements or maintenance, the Court may direct mediation, case conferences and hearings. Resolving these issues commonly takes a further 6 to 12 months after the Interim Judgment, although more complex disputes can take considerably longer.
Not always. If your divorce is uncontested and proceeds under the Simplified Track, you will generally not need to attend Court. The Court will usually determine the matter based on the documents filed by the parties or their lawyers.
If the divorce is contested, or there are disputes regarding the children, maintenance or the division of matrimonial assets, the Court may require the parties to attend mediation, case conferences or hearings before making its decision.
The Court’s paramount consideration is the welfare and best interests of the child.
In Singapore, custody refers to the authority to make important long-term decisions about a child’s upbringing, such as education, healthcare and religion. It is separate from care and control, which determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis, and access, which governs the time the other parent spends with the child.
When deciding these arrangements, the Court considers the particular circumstances of each family, including the child’s welfare, the parents’ ability to care for the child and, where appropriate, the child’s own views.
There is no automatic 50:50 split of matrimonial assets in Singapore. The Court aims to achieve a just and equitable division based on the particular circumstances of each case.
When deciding how assets should be divided, the Court may consider factors such as:
- Each spouse’s direct financial contributions, such as paying for the property or mortgage;
- Indirect contributions, including caring for the children, managing the household and supporting the family;
- The length of the marriage;
- The needs of any children; and
- Any other relevant circumstances set out in the Women’s Charter.
Matrimonial assets may include the family home, CPF monies used to purchase property, savings, investments, businesses, vehicles and, in some cases, overseas assets.
As every family’s financial circumstances are different, obtaining legal advice early can help you better understand your likely entitlements and the options available.
You don’t have to face this alone. We are here to help.
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