Family Law issues covering expatriate clients, have a tendency to cross more than one country. In the case of an International divorce for example, some questions which come to mind will be:
- where should I file for divorce?
- do I meet the jurisdiction criteria in Singapore?
- which jurisdiction is advantageous to me?
In some cases, deciding where to divorce can have a significant influence on the divorce process and its outcome. Sometimes, divorce cases will incorporate aspects that may be subject to different international jurisdictional legislations, prompting you to ask;
- what happens to our matrimonial property overseas?
- can my child be relocated without my consent?
- can a Singapore Court Order apply in another overseas court?
- what happens to my immigration status?
Are you an expat?
As a result of these considerations, comparing jurisdictions in regards to your divorce, custody and support issues and even which court to apply under, can have a big impact on the eventual outcome of the case.
At GJC Law, we offer advice on:
- the choice of forum for divorce
- the financial considerations of divorce in other jurisdictions
- pre and post-nuptial agreements (international)
- international enforcement of Singapore orders
- international relocation issues & potential exposure in the event of divorce proceedings
- international child abduction
Our International Divorce Lawyer, Ms Gloria James will take you through the entire divorce process in Singapore as well as help to guide you to the best decision that is of advantage to your circumstances.
At GJC Law, we have the experience, know-how, and are equipped with the necessary resources and manpower to handle the complexities of an international divorce with strong, effective representation.
Visit www.expatdivorce.sg for more information
Yes you can, provided you satisfy the following requirements:
- Married for more than three years
- Habitually resident in Singapore for more than 3 years
- Has a Ground for Divorce (fault or no-fault basis)
About 5 to 6 months (ie 2 to 3 months to Interim Judgment and 3 months to Final Judgment.) The latter is a mandatory period to wait. However, this can be abridged to 1 week if there are compelling reasons for the immediate closure and need to obtain Final Judgment soonest possible. To proceed with this, an application has to be made at the time of the divorce hearing and the party asking for it, has to be present for the divorce hearing.
Yes. You can take advantage of the exchange rate and you are charged in Singapore Dollars. If it is a divorce agreed by both parties and ancillary issues are agreed upon, then Fixed Divorce Fees kick in.
Yes you can, provided you satisfy the following requirements:
- If divorce papers have not been served on the spouse, an application has to be made to serve the divorce papers through personal service or substituted service.
- If divorce papers have been served and if Interim Judgment to be granted/or granted, then an application can be made to proceed with only the Divorce and to obtain Final Judgment on the Divorce. Ancillary issues to be dealt with at the country where the spouse and children are residing at since they have returned to that country.
You can`t unless you can show the intention to be domiciled in Singapore, ie to make Singapore your home and to live here, period. And you have to satisfy the test as stated in the case of (2005) SGDC80 – DIDIER VON DANIKEN v SANAA VON DANIKERN BORN ELKOLALY, reference to Wong Phui Lun Joseph v Yeoh Loon Goik (1978) 1 MLJ 236.
ie domicile of choice – 2 elements to be shown, ie
- Fact of residence
- Fact of intention of permanent or indefinite residence
The onus is on you to prove that you have acquired Singapore domicile. Evidence to be shown that there is no contingency every plan to return to home country, cut links with home country, took job in Singapore, shifted assets to Singapore, cash in bank here and not overseas, taken Singapore Permanent Resident/ or applying Singapore Citizen status. That you treat Singapore as a home.
To speak with our Family Law Specialist
- That you have suffered exceptional hardship during your marriage; or
- Your spouse has behaved with exceptional depravity ie behaved unusually bad.
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A separation is an agreement executed between parties. Even if there is no separation agreement, that does not mean that the court cannot assist in determining the issues between parties.
As for maintenance, the Wife is entitled to file for maintenance even if parties are not divorced. This is as provided for under the Women’s Charter. In Singapore, there is no specific Family Law Act, but an Act that is called the Women’s Charter. As you can see from the name, the law governs’ the women’s rights, issues on maintenance, divorce, family violence, and child issues and property division.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EXPAT DIVORCE, PLEASE REFER TO
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