COVID-19 — and the accompanying circuit breaker measures to stop its transmission — have thrown a wrench in many couples’ plans to get married. Recognising that it may be some time before the pandemic ends, the Singapore government has passed the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures for Solemnisation and Registration of Marriages)…
Category: Family and Community
Should You Choose Civil or Muslim Marriage? Impacts on Divorce
For a couple blissfully in love, deciding whether to enter into a civil or Muslim marriage is probably not the first thing on their minds. After all, there is a very natural assumption that only Muslims can marry under the relevant Islamic religious law, i.e. Syariah (Sharia) law. In addition,…
4 Tips for a Smooth Simplified Uncontested Divorce in Singapore
A divorce can be a stressful experience. From my 12 years of experience as a lawyer handling divorce matters, I have seen this stress further aggravated by long-running and fiercely contested divorces, and its associated legal costs. Contested divorces happen when parties disagree on the terms of a divorce and…
The COVID-19 Pandemic: Financial Settlements on Divorce
I am an English lawyer with 14 years of experience. I specialise in English family law as it applies to British expats based in Singapore, and across Asia. In my previous article “The COVID-19 Pandemic: 6 issues international families may face” I discussed, in broad terms, the types of issues…
How Might COVID-19 Affect Divorces in Singapore?
As of 7 April 2020, the Singapore government put in place circuit breaker measures to reduce local transmission of COVID-19. Following the circuit breaker measures, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) have released new measures on the current state of proceedings in the divorce courts. However, the current measures taken by…
Should You File for Divorce First in Singapore? Pros and Cons
Going through a divorce can be an emotionally draining and overwhelming experience for many individuals. Added to that pressure can be any perceived legal, tactical or financial advantages that the Plaintiff (i.e. the spouse filing for the divorce) can have throughout the divorce process – simply because they filed for…
COVID-19 Impacts on Marriages: Virtual VD/SD and Solemnisation
When it comes to the process of registering a marriage in Singapore, the Verification of Documents and Statutory Declaration (VD/SD) and the following marriage solemnisation procedures are typically conducted in-person at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) for civil marriages, or the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) for Muslim marriages. However,…
Helping Your Spouse Cope With Work Stress
In our daily struggle to manage deadlines and juggle multiple responsibilities, we end up accumulating toxic work stress that affects our relationships outside work. In such situations, what can you do as a partner to relieve the stress of your spouse and strengthen your marriage? Read on! — In today’s…
#StayHome School Holidays: How To Work From Home With Kids Effectively During This Period
With the continuous spread of COVID-19, Circuit Breaker remains to be implemented in Singapore after over a month since its announcement. The closure of schools and offices across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic has compelled most of us to stay indoors and work from home instead. Undoubtedly, however,…
Recognising, preventing and leaving abusive relationships
Read on to arm yourself with knowledge on how to recognise the signs of an abusive relationship and what you should do if someone you know is in one. — We often associate abusive relationships with teenagers and adults. However, the younger ones are at risk too. In fact, they…