Divorce in Singapore

Divorce proceedings in Singapore involve decisions on the reasons for the dissolution of a marriage, division of matrimonial assets, maintenance and children care and custody arrangements. We understand that this is one of the most difficult periods in a person's life, and we approach every matter with discretion and care. Our Private Wealth & Family Practice acts for individuals in uncontested and contested proceedings before the Family Justice Courts in Singapore. We believe that the best outcomes in family proceedings are reached with the least acrimony possible. Our team works to resolve disputes constructively and efficiently. Where litigation is required, we provide full representation in contested proceedings, with a focus on achieving outcomes that reflect our clients' interests and priorities. 

As a family law firm in Singapore, we act for clients across the island, from initial advice through to resolution. Contact us to arrange a confidential consultation.

Maintenance

Spousal and child maintenance may be ordered under the Women's Charter following a divorce or separation in Singapore. We advise clients on the applicable legal framework and represent them in applications for maintenance orders, providing guidance on the factors courts weigh, including the financial needs of the claimant, the income and earning capacity of each party, and the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. 

Where maintenance obligations are breached, we act in enforcement proceedings under Singapore's Maintenance Enforcement Process (MEP), a court-supervised process for recovering unpaid maintenance, advising clients on available remedies and representing them before the Maintenance Enforcement Officers and the Court. 

Custody, Care & Control of Children 

Disputes over custody, care and control, and access are among the most sensitive matters that arise from a breakdown of marriage. We recognise that behind every such application is a family navigating profound change, and our approach reflects that. We represent clients in contested applications before the Family Justice Courts, as well as in uncontested matters where parties seek to formalise agreed arrangements. 

Our advice is guided by the principles the Court applies, chief among them, the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration, and is tailored to the particular circumstances of each family, including the child's age, relationships, and living arrangements. We act for clients in custody proceedings across Singapore, including in matters with cross-border or international dimensions.

Family Planning & Private Wealth in Singapore 

Sound legal planning within a family begins well before any legal proceedings become necessary — on marriage, on succession, and on the preservation of a family's legacy across generations. 

We advise individuals, families, and high-net-worth clients on the full range of family and private wealth planning matters in Singapore, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, wills, trust structures, lasting powers of attorney, and deputyship applications under the Mental Capacity Act. Our team is based in Singapore and regularly advises clients with assets and interests spanning multiple jurisdictions. 

Where clients have complex cross-border holdings or multi-generational succession considerations, we work alongside tax and trust advisers to structure arrangements that are both legally sound and practically effective. Our advice is tailored to each family's circumstances, priorities, and asset profile, with a view to putting durable arrangements in place that protect what has been built and honour the legacy clients intend to leave. 

Speak to our team about your family's planning needs.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements in Singapore 

Thoughtful families plan ahead. A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, entered into before or after marriage respectively, is one of the clearest expressions of that: an opportunity for both parties to agree, with transparency and mutual respect, on how assets and financial affairs would be treated should the marriage not endure. For clients in Singapore with significant wealth, business interests, or cross-border holdings, it is an integral part of any considered estate and succession plan. 

Singapore courts have given weight to such agreements where they are entered into freely, with full financial disclosure and independent legal advice on both sides, and the manner in which they are structured matters. We advise clients on the full process, working closely with them and, where necessary, with counsel in other jurisdictions to ensure arrangements are thorough, durable, and reflective of their intentions. 

Adoption in Singapore 

We advise and act in adoption applications in Singapore, guiding families through the legal and procedural requirements for formalising a parent-child relationship under the Adoption of Children Act 2022. Our services include advising on eligibility, securing the necessary consents from the child's biological parents or legal guardians, preparing the adoption application, and representing clients in proceedings before the Family Justice Courts. We work closely with families throughout the process, providing clear guidance at each stage so that clients understand what to expect and when. 

Wills in Singapore  

Wills set out how a person's assets are to be distributed upon death, and are one of the most important steps a person can take to protect their family and give effect to their wishes. At Yuen Law, our Singapore wills lawyers advise on the drafting of wills including matters involving multiple properties, overseas assets, business interests, and family arrangements, including blended families and multi-generational planning, that require specific distribution provisions. We also advise on what a will cannot govern, including CPF, which passes outside of the estate and requires a separate CPF nomination to direct how those monies are distributed. 

Find out more about making or updating your will in Singapore.

Lasting Power of Attorney in Singapore

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows a person to appoint one or more individuals, known as donees, to make decisions on their behalf in the event of a loss of mental capacity, covering personal welfare and/or property and financial affairs. In Singapore, LPA applications are made through the Office of the Public Guardian. Making an LPA while you have mental capacity is one of the most practical steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce the burden on your family. We regularly advise clients on the appointment of donees, the scope of powers granted, and the preparation of arrangements that reflect the client's personal and financial circumstances.

Deputyship in Singapore 

Where a person loses mental capacity without a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, a court order is required before another person can manage that individual's affairs. This process, known as a deputyship application, can be time-consuming and costly, which is why having an LPA in place early is strongly advisable. We advise individuals and families on deputyship applications under the Mental Capacity Act 2008 and represent clients before the Family Justice Courts in Singapore. 

Our work includes advising on the appropriate type of deputyship application, the powers sought by the proposed deputy, supporting medical evidence, and compliance with court procedures. We also represent clients in contested applications involving the appointment or removal of deputies.

Probate & Letters of Administration in Singapore 

When a person passes away, legal authority must be obtained before the estate can be administered, and the process differs depending on whether the deceased left a valid will. In Singapore, this process is administered through the Family Justice Courts. We act in applications for Grants of Probate where a will exists and assist with applications for Letters of Administration where it does not. A Grant of Probate confirms the executor's authority to administer the estate; Letters of Administration serve the same purpose where there is no will, appointing an administrator in the executor's place. We also advise on resealing foreign grants in Singapore and on estate administration matters involving overseas beneficiaries or assets in multiple jurisdictions.