Singapore Divorce Process: 8 Frequently Asked Questions You Often Hear
Have you been contemplating the divorce procedure? Divorce is not hard, but it is downright complicated. Considering a wide range of factors can make an already difficult situation even more difficult. Compile a plethora of requirements before filing for divorce in your country. After filing for a Singapore divorce process, the division of assets and the payment of alimony, spousal support, and child support become peak considerations. These are frequently asked questions by people going through a divorce.
1. How much does it cost to get a divorce?
If the divorce is highly complicated and the issues are contested, it will cost a lot of money. The cost of uncontested divorce will be lower than the cost of a contested divorce. This means that if the divorce is highly contentious, it will cost more in the long run. Divorce costs include attorney fees, court filing fees, and other costs that arise during a Singapore divorce process.
2. Do divorces take a long time?
What favours you may not work for your spouse. Every piece of property, business, or estate plan that you and your spouse have will have to be disclosed to the lawyer you’ve chosen. If there are children involved, they will also need to take into account custody agreements. If you and your spouse are on the same page, then it is possible. Litigation can take a long time. Mediation or collaboration can take less time.
3. Are divorce mediation and divorce collaboration different?
Mediation is the use of a neutral third party to mediate between divorcing parties to reach a common ground. The mediator helps with paperwork, communication between all parties, and ensuring that each party’s goals or desires are met.
Both parties and their attorneys sign a contract stating that they will not take the other to court if they collaborate. They will have to appoint new lawyers and start the process over if this contract is breached. Counselling clients on what matters to them and how to deal with problems is one of the many services that attorneys provide. In a collaborative uncontested divorce in Singapore, non-lawyer professionals are frequently involved.
4. Can you file for divorce because of your cheating spouse?
You can sue for “grounds” if you live in a country that allows it. A divorce action can be brought against a spouse in most countries without the need for a specific reason. Find out what your country’s divorce laws are by contacting a local attorney to see if you qualify for a divorce.
Negative behaviour can come into play in divorce settlement negotiations if your spouse has cheated. The courts, for example, will take into account a cheating spouse’s spending of marital funds on another woman or man when determining how marital assets are divided. Any questions you may have about how your local court handles such matters can be answered by an experienced divorce attorney.
5. How do you divide property in an uncontested divorce in Singapore?
There are only two rules that apply to this situation: Separate property and community property. If you’ve acquired anything before getting married and it hasn’t been combined or shared with your spouse, it’s considered separate property. This includes a house that was yours before marriage and has been kept separate from the rest of your property.
In a marital union, community property refers to anything acquired or shared during the marriage. Everything accumulated or given to the family during the marriage is included here. Divorced couples must divide their marital property. However, this does not imply that it splits in half. If you own a house and a retirement savings plan, for example, you might be able to divide the value of the two assets so that one party gets the home property and the other gets the retirement savings plan.
6. What if you don’t want a divorce?
Even if your spouse shrugs a divorce, you can still file for one. In no-fault divorce countries, the only two things you need to do is process your divorce petition and count the price of divorce in Singapore and how much it will cost. Because of the requirement of a certain time frame of separation, some countries will grant a divorce even if your spouse does not consent.
Some therapists can help you deal with the pain of a divorce that you dread. Navigating the divorce process without allowing negative emotions to influence your decisions is critical. It is crucial to remain emotionally stable and rational during a Singapore divorce process if grieving the loss of a marriage you wish to save.
7. How is child custody determined?
Various factors play a role in determining child custody. Temporary custody exists throughout a case because it protects the child from sudden changes in routine. Changing this plan for permanent child custody can be difficult for judges because they do not want to disrupt the children.
It is possible that temporary custody can predict the outcome of child custody, but without certainty. In Singapore, after filing a divorce process, the residence of the favoured spouse becomes the home country of their children. The desire of a parent to leave the state or relocate can also affect the outcome.
8. Will you have to appear in the court trial?
If you and your spouse agree to mediation or collaboration, you may not need to appear in court. It is a perfect scenario because you can file all of your paperwork with the court and have a decision on your case sent to you via postal mail. Even if you are not required to appear at a hearing, you may still be required to do so in some cases because divorce in Singapore comes at a cost.
Ensure that your divorce lawyer is an expert in family law and divorce. You want a divorce lawyer who has dealt with a wide range of cases and who will do everything in their power to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Lastly, you must keep these FAQs in mind to assess your legal situation.
Check out Aspect Law Chambers LLC to be equipped with the information on grounds for divorce in Singapore.