LIP DivorceProcedure

D ivo rce P ro ce d u re D ivo rce P ro ce d u re D ivo rce P ro ce d u re D ivo rce P ro ce d u re

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

Th is fa ct sh ee t p ro vid e s b a sic in fo rm a tio n for p e op le wh o wish to a p p ly fo r a d ivorce in
th e Fa m ily C o u rt, o r wish to o p p o se a n a p p lica tio n for d ivorce in th e Fa m ily C o u rt.
G e n era l in form a tio n o n Fa m ily C o u rt p roce sse s is a va ila b le on th e Fa m ily C o u rt we b site
a t h ttp ://www.su b co u rts.go v.sg/fa m ily.
D I VO R C E I S A TWO D I VO R C E I S A TWO D I VO R C E I S A TWO D I VO R C E I S A TWO - -- -S TAG E P R O C E S S S TAG E P R O C E S S S TAG E P R O C E S S S TAG E P R O C E S S
I n S in ga p o re , d ivo rce is a two -sta ge p ro ce ss.
I n th e first sta g e first sta g e first sta g e first sta g e , th e C o u rt will d e a l with th e d ivo rce itse lf. Th is m e a n s th a t th e
C o u rt will d e cid e wh e th e r yo u r m a rria g e sh o u ld b e d isso lve d (le g a lly e n d e d ).
I n th e se co n d sta g e se co n d sta g e se co n d sta g e se co n d sta g e , th e C o u rt will d e a l with th e a n cilla ry m a tte rs a n cilla ry m a tte rs a n cilla ry m a tte rs a n cilla ry m a tte rs. Th e a n cilla ry
m a tte rs a re issu e s re la tin g to th e ch ild re n , if yo u h a ve a n y, m a in te n a n ce , a n d
p ro p e rty th a t e ith e r o r b o th o f yo u m a y o wn .
Yo u ca n n o t re m a rry u n til yo u h a ve o b ta in e d Yo u ca n n o t re m a rry u n til yo u h a ve o b ta in e d Yo u ca n n o t re m a rry u n til yo u h a ve o b ta in e d Yo u ca n n o t re m a rry u n til yo u h a ve o b ta in e d Fin a l Ju d gm e n t. Th is will o n ly Fin a l Ju d gm e n t. Th is will o n ly Fin a l Ju d gm e n t. Th is will o n ly Fin a l Ju d gm e n t. Th is will o n ly b e b e b e b e
g ra n te d a t th e e n d o f th e se co n d sta g e o f yo u r d ivo rce ca se . g ra n te d a t th e e n d o f th e se co n d sta g e o f yo u r d ivo rce ca se . g ra n te d a t th e e n d o f th e se co n d sta g e o f yo u r d ivo rce ca se . g ra n te d a t th e e n d o f th e se co n d sta g e o f yo u r d ivo rce ca se .
I f yo u a re th e o n e a p p lyin g fo r th e d ivo rce , yo u a re th e P la in tiff P la in tiff P la in tiff P la in tiff. Th e o th e r p a rty
is ca lle d th e D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t.
FI LI N G O F C O U R T D O C U FI LI N G O F C O U R T D O C U FI LI N G O F C O U R T D O C U FI LI N G O F C O U R T D O C U M E N TS M E N TS M E N TS M E N TS
P le a se n o te th a t a ll C o u rt d o cu m e n ts m u st b e file d o r se n t to th e C o u rt u sin g th e
E le ctro n ic Filin g S ystem (E FS ). Yo u ca n file d o cu m en ts th ro u g h th e E FS a t th e
La wN e t/E FS S e rvice B u re a u . Th e re a re two S e rvice B u re a u s in S in g a p o re :
S u p re m e C o u rt La wN e t / E FS S e rvice B u rea u S u p re m e C o u rt La wN e t / E FS S e rvice B u rea u S u p re m e C o u rt La wN e t / E FS S e rvice B u rea u S u p re m e C o u rt La wN e t / E FS S e rvice B u rea u
1 S u p re m e C o u rt La n e
Le ve l 1 , S u p re m e C o u rt B u ild in g
S in ga p o re 1 7 8 8 7 9
6 3 3 7 9 1 6 4

Ap o llo C e n tre La wN e t / E FS S ervice B u re a u Ap o llo C e n tre La wN e t / E FS S ervice B u re a u Ap o llo C e n tre La wN e t / E FS S ervice B u re a u Ap o llo C e n tre La wN e t / E FS S ervice B u re a u
2 H a ve lo ck R o a d
# 0 6 -0 1 /1 1 Ap o llo C e n tre
S in ga p o re 0 5 9 7 6 3
6 5 3 8 9 5 0 7
Fo r m o re in fo rm a tio n o n th e La wN e t/E FS S e rvice B u re a u , yo u m a y wish to visit
h ttp ://in fo .e fs.co m .sg h ttp ://in fo .e fs.co m .sg h ttp ://in fo .e fs.co m .sg h ttp ://in fo .e fs.co m .sg /S e rvice B u re a u .h tm l /S e rvice B u re a u .h tm l /S e rvice B u re a u .h tm l /S e rvice B u re a u .h tm l. Fa m ily C o u rt sta ff will b e a b le to
d ire ct yo u to th e Ap o llo C e n tre La wN e t / E FS S e rvice B u re a u , b u t will b e u n a b le
to give yo u a n y sp e cific in fo rm a tio n o n p ro ce d u re s a n d ch a rge s a d o p te d b y th e
S e rvice B u re a u .
H O W YO U R C AS E M AY P R H O W YO U R C AS E M AY P R H O W YO U R C AS E M AY P R H O W YO U R C AS E M AY P R O G R O G R O G R O G R E S S TH R O U G H TH E FAM I E S S TH R O U G H TH E FAM I E S S TH R O U G H TH E FAM I E S S TH R O U G H TH E FAM I LY C O U R T LY C O U R T LY C O U R T LY C O U R T
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

AP P LY fo r a d ivo rce b y filin g a Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce a n d re la te d p a p e rs
First d a y a t C o u rt:
S TATU S C O N FE R E N C E I N C H AM B E R S
I f yo u h a ve n o t se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn yo u r a p p lica tio n fo r h e a rin g (fo rm a lly a sk e d th e C o u rt fo r a
h e a rin g d a te fo r yo u r d ivo rce ) a fte r six we e k s, th e C o u rt will a sk yo u to a tte n d a S ta tu s
C o n fe re n ce . A S ta tu s C o n fe re n ce is co n d u cte d b y a D e p u ty R e gistra r o f th e Fa m ily C o u rt.
Th e D e p u ty R e gistra r will ch e ck if yo u h a ve se rve d se rve d se rve d se rve d yo u r a p p lica tio n o n th e o th e r p a rty. I f
yo u h a ve , a n d th e o th e r p a rty is p re se n t, th e D e p u ty R e gistra r will m a k e ce rta in o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs to
h e lp b o th p a rtie s re a ch a n a gre e m e n t o n th e d ivo rce , if th is is p o ssib le .
Yo u r n e xt m o st lik e ly C o u rt d a te :
C O U N S E LLIN G with a p ro fe ssio n a l C o u rt
co u n se llo r to h e lp b o th p a rtie s re so lve th e ir
d iffere n ce s o ve r th e e m o tio n a l a sp e cts o f
th e d ivo rce
R E S O LU TI O N C O N FE R E N C E with a Fa m ily
C o u rt Ju d ge to h e lp b o th p a rtie s re so lve
th e ir d iffe re n ce s o ve r th e lega l a sp e cts o f
th e d ivo rce
I f th e re is n o se ttle m e n t: I f th e re is a se ttle m e n t:
P la in tiff a sk s th e C o u rt to se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn th e d ivo rce fo r h e a rin g
P R E -TR I AL C O N FE R E N C E I N C H AM B E R S
A P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce is co n d u cte d b y a
D e p u ty R e gistra r o f th e Fa m ily C o u rt. Th e
p u rp o se o f a P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce is to h e lp
b o th p a rtie s ge t re a d y fo r th e d ivo rce
h e a rin g.
F
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R
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C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E TR IAL IN O P E N C O U R T
U N C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E H E AR IN G I N
O P E N C O U R T
I N T E R I M J U D G M E N T
AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R E -TR I AL C O N FE R E N C E I N C H AM B E R S
An An cilla ry M a tte rs P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce is co n d u cte d b y a D e p u ty R e gistra r o f th e Fa m ily
C o u rt. H e o r sh e m a y m a k e ce rta in o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs to h e lp b o th p a rtie s co m e to a n a gre e m e n t o n
th e d isp u te d a n cilla ry m a tte rs, in clu d in g o rd e rs fo r th e d isclo su re o f fin a n cia l d o cu m e n ts,
o r fo r p a rtie s to a tte n d co u n se llin g o r a re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce .
C O U N S E LLIN G with a p ro fe ssio n a l C o u rt
co u n se llo r if o n ly ch ild re n ’s issu e s a re in
d isp u te
R E S O LU TI O N C O N FE R E N C E with a Ju d ge if
th e d isp u te a lso co ve rs m a in te n a n ce a n d
p ro p e rty issu e s
I f th e re is n o se ttle m e n t If th e re is a se ttle m e n t
AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R E -TR IAL
C O N FE R E N C E I N C H AM B E R S
Filin g o f Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s
I f th ere a re ch ild re n , a co u n se llo r o r so cia l
wo rk e r m a y h a ve to p re p a re a re p o rt fo r th e
Ju d ge to co n sid e r a t th e co n te ste d a n cilla ry
m a tte rs h e a rin g
C O N TE S TE D AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S H E AR IN G
I N C H AM B E R S
C O N S E N T AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S H E AR I N G
S
E
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N
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F I N A L J U D G M E N T
WH E R E C AN I G E T TH E WH E R E C AN I G E T TH E WH E R E C AN I G E T TH E WH E R E C AN I G E T TH E FO R M S I N E E D ? FO R M S I N E E D ? FO R M S I N E E D ? FO R M S I N E E D ?
Th e d ivo rce co u rt fo rm s a re a va ila b le a t th e b a ck o f th e Wo m e n ’s C h a rte r
(M a trim o n ia l P ro ce e d in gs) R u le s (C a p 3 5 3 , R 4 , 2 0 0 6 R e v E d ). Th e Affid a vit o f Affid a vit o f Affid a vit o f Affid a vit o f
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

Asse ts a n d M e a n s Asse ts a n d M e a n s Asse ts a n d M e a n s Asse ts a n d M e a n s a n d th e D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts a re
a va ila b le a t Ap p e n d ix B o f th e S u b o rd in a te C o u rts P ra ctice D ire ctio n s.
All fo rm s a re a va ila b le in M icro so ft Wo rd fo rm a t o n th e Fa m ily C o u rt we b site a t
h ttp ://www.su b co u rts.go v.sg /fa m ily h ttp ://www.su b co u rts.go v.sg /fa m ily h ttp ://www.su b co u rts.go v.sg /fa m ily h ttp ://www.su b co u rts.go v.sg /fa m ily.
FI R S T S TAG E : TH E D I V FI R S T S TAG E : TH E D I V FI R S T S TAG E : TH E D I V FI R S T S TAG E : TH E D I VO R C E O R C E O R C E O R C E
Th is is in te n d e d a s a g u id e o n ly g u id e o n ly g u id e o n ly g u id e o n ly, a n d is n o t a su b stitu te fo r in d e p e n d e n t le g a l
a d vice .
I F YO U AR E TH E P LAI N I F YO U AR E TH E P LAI N I F YO U AR E TH E P LAI N I F YO U AR E TH E P LAI N TI FF TI FF TI FF TI FF
S te p 1 S te p 1 S te p 1 S te p 1 Ap p ly Ap p ly Ap p ly Ap p ly
To a p p ly fo r a d ivo rce , co m p le te th e fo llo win g d o cu m e n ts, a n d file th e m th ro u g h
th e E FS :
! Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce Writ fo r D ivo rce , S ta te m e n t o f C la im S ta te m e n t o f C la im S ta te m e n t o f C la im S ta tem en t o f C la im a n d S ta te m en t o f P a rticu la rs S ta te m en t o f P a rticu la rs S ta te m en t o f P a rticu la rs S ta te m en t o f P a rticu la rs.
! Agre e d Agre e d Agre e d Agre e d o r P ro p o se d P ro p o se d P ro p o se d P ro p o se d P a re n tin g P la n P a re n tin g P la n P a re n tin g P la n P a re n tin g P la n , if yo u h a ve ch ild re n b e lo w 2 1 .
! Agre e d Agre e d Agre e d Agre e d o r P ro p o se d M a trim o n ia l P ro p e rty P la n P ro p o se d M a trim o n ia l P ro p e rty P la n P ro p o se d M a trim o n ia l P ro p e rty P la n P ro p o se d M a trim o n ia l P ro p e rty P la n , if th e re is a H o u sin g a n d
D e ve lo p m e n t B o a rd (H D B ) fla t to b e d ivid e d b e twe e n yo u rse lf a n d th e
D e fe n d a n t.
S te p 2 S te p 2 S te p 2 S te p 2 S e rve S e rve S e rve S e rve
Yo u m u st se rve se rve se rve se rve a ll th e d o cu m e n ts yo u h a ve file d in C o u rt o n th e D e fe n d a n t, to
a le rt h im o r h e r th a t yo u h a ve sta rte d th is d ivo rce ca se in C o u rt.
Yo u m u st a lso se rve a lso se rve a lso se rve a lso se rve co p ie s o f a n
! Ack n o wle d gm e n t o f S ervice Ack n o wle d gm e n t o f S ervice Ack n o wle d gm e n t o f S ervice Ack n o wle d gm e n t o f S ervice
! M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce
Yo u m u st serve a ll th e se d o cu m e n ts in o n e o f th e fo llo win g wa ys:
! b y p e rso n a l se rvice p e rso n a l se rvice p e rso n a l se rvice p e rso n a l se rvice , wh ich m ea n s th a t th e d o cu m e n ts m u st b e h a n d e d to th e
D e fe n d a n t d ire ctly b y so m e o n e a u th o rized to d o so , su ch a s a co u rt p ro ce ss
se rve r;
! b y re g istered p o st re g istered p o st re g istered p o st re g iste re d p o st to th e D e fen d a n t’s a d d re ss, b u t o n ly if th e D e fe n d a n t sig n s
a n d re tu rn s th e Ack n o wle d g m en t o f S e rvice to yo u ;
! b y E FS o n th e D e fe n d a n t’s la wye r E FS o n th e D e fe n d a n t’s la wye r E FS o n th e D e fe n d a n t’s la wye r E FS o n th e D e fe n d a n t’s la wye r, if h e o r sh e h a s o n e , b u t o n ly if th e
D e fe n d a n t’s la wye r in d ica te s o n th e d o cu m e n ts th a t h e o r sh e a cce p ts
se rvice o n b e h a lf o f th e D e fe n d a n t.
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

S te p 3 S te p 3 S te p 3 S te p 3 S e t D o wn S e t D o wn S e t D o wn S e t D o wn
I f th e D e fe n d a n t a n d yo u rse lf h a ve a gre e d o n a d ivo rce , a n d if th e D e fe n d a n t h a s
n o d isp u te o ve r wh a t yo u h a ve sa id in yo u r S ta te m e n t o f C la im a n d S ta te m e n t o f
P a rticu la rs, yo u m a y se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn se t d o wn yo u r d ivo rce ca se a s a n u n co n te ste d d ivo rce u n co n te ste d d ivo rce u n co n te ste d d ivo rce u n co n te ste d d ivo rce a fte r
th e D efe n d a n t files a M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p ea ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p ea ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p ea ra n ce M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p ea ra n ce co n firm in g th a t h e o r sh e is
n o t co n te stin g th e le g a l d isso lu tio n o f th e m a rria g e . Th is is d o n e b y filin g a
R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l.
I f, h o we ve r, th e D e fe n d a n t h a s file d a D e fe n ce D e fe n ce D e fe n ce D e fe n ce , yo u r d ivo rce ca se is co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d ,
a n d th e p ro ce d u re fro m th is p o in t o n will b e co m e m o re co m p lica te d . I f yo u
wish , yo u m a y file a fu rth er d o cu m e n t ca lle d a R e p ly R e p ly R e p ly R e p ly, o r a R e p ly a n d D e fe n ce to R e p ly a n d D e fe n ce to R e p ly a n d D e fe n ce to R e p ly a n d D e fe n ce to
C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im , if th e D e fe n d a n t h a s file d a C o u n te rcla im , to close p le a d in g s clo se p lea d in g s clo se p lea d in g s clo se p lea d in g s.
Th e n , yo u ca n a le rt th e C o u rt th a t yo u a re re a d y fo r a co n teste d d ivo rce h e a rin g
d a te b y filin g R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l Tria l Tria l Tria l. P le a se se e th e se ctio n
o n C o n te ste d D ivo rce s C o n te ste d D ivo rce s C o n te ste d D ivo rce s C o n tested D ivo rces b e lo w.
S te p 4 S te p 4 S te p 4 S te p 4 D ivo rce H e a rin g D ivo rce H e a rin g D ivo rce H e a rin g D ivo rce H e a rin g
Yo u r u n co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te n o rm a lly ta k e s p la ce with in th re e we e k s
o f th e d a te th a t yo u file yo u r R e q u e st fo r S e ttin g D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l. Th e C o u rt
will se n d yo u a le tte r to te ll yo u wh e n th e h e a rin g d a te a n d tim e will b e . Yo u ca n
lo o k u p th e h e a rin g lists h e a rin g lists h e a rin g lists h e a rin g lists fo r th e d a y o n th e Fa m ily C o u rt we b site to co n firm th e
lo ca tio n o f th e h e a rin g.
Th e u n co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g will b e q u ite sh o rt, u su a lly la stin g o n ly five to five to five to five to
te n m in u te s te n m in u te s te n m in u te s te n m in u te s. A D istrict Ju d g e will h e a r th e ca se in o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt.
I f th e D istrict Ju d g e is sa tisfie d th a t th a t th e m a rria g e h a s irre trie va b ly b ro k e n
d o wn , h e o r sh e will gra n t a n I n te rim Ju d gm e n t, a n d a d jo u rn th e a n cilla ry
m a tte rs to b e h e a rd in ch a m b e rs.
Th e I n te rim Ju d g m e n t is a p ro visio n a l o rd e r fo r d ivo rce . I t is m a d e fin a l, o r
co n firm e d , a fte r th re e m o n th s.
Th is is th e e n d o f th e first sta g e o f yo u r d ivo rce ca se .
I F YO U AR E TH E D E F E N I F YO U AR E TH E D E F E N I F YO U AR E TH E D E F E N I F YO U AR E TH E D E F E N D AN T D AN T D AN T D AN T
Th is is in te n d e d a s a gu id e o n ly gu id e o n ly gu id e o n ly gu id e o n ly. I f yo u h a ve b e e n se rve d with a se t o f le ga l
p a p e rs th a t yo u d o n o t u n d e rsta n d , se e k in d e p e n d e n t le g a l a d vice im m ed ia te ly.
S te p 1 S te p 1 S te p 1 S te p 1 D o yo u wish D o yo u wish D o yo u wish D o yo u wish to co n test th e d ivo rce? to co n test th e d ivo rce? to co n test th e d ivo rce? to co n test th e d ivo rce?
I f yo u wish to co n te st th e d ivo rce , yo u m u st b e cle a r a b o u t wh a t wh a t wh a t wh a t yo u a re
co n te stin g.
Wh a t is it th a t yo u d o n o t a gre e with ? I s it:
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

! the legal end of the marriage? I f so , yo u m u st ta k e ste p s to a le rt th e C o u rt
th a t yo u wish to co n te st th e d ivo rce .
! the contents of the Statement of Claim and Statement of Particulars that
have been served on you? I f so , yo u m u st ta k e ste p s to a le rt th e C o u rt th a t
yo u wish to co n te st th e d ivo rce . Yo u m a y wish to a sk th e P la in tiff if h e o r sh e
will co n sid e r co m in g to C o u rt fo r a re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce to try to re a ch
a g re e m e n t o n th e S ta te m e n t o f C la im a n d S ta te m e n t o f P a rticu la rs.
! the Plaintiff’s claims, in the Statement of Claim, with regard to the children,
maintenance or property? If yo u a g ree to a d ivo rce, th ese issu es ca n b e p u t
a sid e u n til a fte r th e d ivo rce h e a rin g. Th e se a re a n cilla ry m a tte rs th a t a re
u su a lly co n sid e re d a t th e se co n d sta g e o f th e d ivo rce ca se .
S te p 2 S te p 2 S te p 2 S te p 2 E n te r a n a p p e a ra n ce E n te r a n a p p e a ra n ce E n te r a n a p p e a ra n ce E n te r a n a p p e a ra n ce
I f yo u wa n t th e C o u rt to h e a r yo u o n a n y o f th e m a tte rs se t o u t in th e S ta te m e n t
o f C la im , yo u m u st e n te r a n a p p e a ra n ce b y co m p le tin g th e M e m o ra n d u m o f
Ap p e a ra n ce th a t wa s se rve d o n yo u with th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts.
I n th e M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce , in d ica te wh e th e r yo u a re co n te stin g th e
d ivo rce itse lf, o r th e a n cilla ry m a tte rs, o r b o th .
Yo u m u st file th e M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce th ro u gh th e E FS with in 8 d a ys o f
th e d a te th a t th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts we re se rve d o n yo u . I f yo u we re se rved
o u tsid e S in ga p o re , yo u h a ve 2 1 d a ys to file th e M e m o ra n d u m o f Ap p e a ra n ce .
P le a se n o te th a t if yo u ch o o se to ig n o re th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts, th e P la in tiff is P le a se n o te th a t if yo u ch o o se to ig n o re th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts, th e P la in tiff is P le a se n o te th a t if yo u ch o o se to ig n o re th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts, th e P la in tiff is P le a se n o te th a t if yo u ch o o se to ig n o re th e d ivo rce d o cu m e n ts, th e P la in tiff is
a llo we d to a sk th e C o u rt fo r a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te b y filin g a R e q u e st to S e t a llo we d to a sk th e C o u rt fo r a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te b y filin g a R e q u e st to S e t a llo we d to a sk th e C o u rt fo r a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te b y filin g a R e q u e st to S e t a llo we d to a sk th e C o u rt fo r a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te b y filin g a R e q u e st to S e t
D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l. Th e C o u rt m a y p ro ce e d to fix a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te , h e a r D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l. Th e C o u rt m a y p ro ce e d to fix a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te , h e a r D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l. Th e C o u rt m a y p ro ce e d to fix a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te , h e a r D o wn Actio n fo r Tria l. Th e C o u rt m a y p ro ce e d to fix a d ivo rce h e a rin g d a te , h e a r
th e ca se , th e ca se , th e ca se , th e ca se , a n d g ra n t th e d ivo rce in yo u r a b se n ce . Th e C o u rt will n o t p o stp o n e th e a n d g ra n t th e d ivo rce in yo u r a b se n ce . Th e C o u rt will n o t p o stp o n e th e a n d g ra n t th e d ivo rce in yo u r a b se n ce . Th e C o u rt will n o t p o stp o n e th e a n d g ra n t th e d ivo rce in yo u r a b se n ce . Th e C o u rt will n o t p o stp o n e th e
d ivo rce ca se fo r yo u . d ivo rce ca se fo r yo u . d ivo rce ca se fo r yo u . d ivo rce ca se fo r yo u .
S te p 3 S te p 3 S te p 3 S te p 3 File a D e fe n ce File a D e fe n ce File a D e fe n ce File a D e fe n ce
I f yo u h a ve e n te re d a n a p p e a ra n ce , a n d h a ve d e cid e d to co n te st th e d ivo rce , yo u
m u st file a D e fen ce th ro u g h th e E FS .
I f yo u a g re e to th e d ivo rce , b u t n o t to wh a t th e P la in tiff h a s sa id in th e
S ta te m e n t o f C la im a n d S ta te m e n t o f P a rticu la rs, yo u m u st a lso file a
C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im C o u n te rcla im .
Yo u m u st p e rso n a lly serve th e D e fe n ce (a n d C o u n te rcla im , if yo u h a ve d e cid ed
to file o n e ) o n th e P la in tiff, o r th e P la in tiff’s la wye r if th e re is o n e , with in 2 4
h o u rs o f filin g.
O n ce yo u file a D e fe n ce , o r D e fe n ce a n d C o u n te rcla im , th e d ivo rce b e co m e s
co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d .
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E S C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E S C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E S C O N TE S TE D D I VO R C E S
I f th e d ivo rce is co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d co n te ste d , b o th p a rtie s will b e ca lle d fo r a P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce
b e fo re a D e p u ty R e gistra r o f th e Fa m ily C o u rt.
Th e p u rp o se o f a P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce is to ge t b o th p a rtie s re a d y fo r th e
co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g, wh ich will ta k e th e fo rm o f a tria l in o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt o p e n co u rt. Th e
D e p u ty R e gistra r m a y m a k e o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs fo r b o th p a rtie s to a tte n d co u n se llin g co u n se llin g co u n se llin g co u n se llin g with a
p ro fe ssio n a l C o u rt co u n se llo r, o r to a tte n d a re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce with a Ju d g e
a t th e Fa m ily R e la tio n s C e n tre .
I f a g re e m e n t is n o t p o ssib le, th e D ep u ty R e gistra r will a sk b o th p a rtie s to file
Affid a vits o f E vid e n ce in C h ie f Affid a vits o f E vid e n ce in C h ie f Affid a vits o f E vid e n ce in C h ie f Affid a vits o f E vid e n ce in C h ie f.
A co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g co n te ste d d ivo rce h e a rin g is ve ry d iffe re n t fro m a n u n co n te ste d d ivo rce
h e a rin g. A tria l tria l tria l tria l will b e co n d u cte d b e fo re a D istrict Ju d ge in o p e n co u rt. Th e
p a rtie s will e a ch h a ve to give e vid e n ce in o p e n co u rt, to p ro ve p ro ve p ro ve p ro ve th e ir re sp e ctive
ca se s. Th e y will a lso b e a b le to ca ll witn e sse s, if a n y, to su p p o rt th e ir ca se .
At th e e n d o f th e tria l, th e D istrict Ju d ge will gra n t a n I n te rim Ju d gm e n t if h e o r
sh e is sa tisfie d th a t th e m a rria g e h a s irre trie va b ly b ro k e n d o wn . Th e cla im s o n
th e a n cilla ry m a tte rs will b e a d jo u rn e d to b e h e a rd in ch a m b e rs.
S E C O N D S TAG E : TH E AN S E C O N D S TAG E : TH E AN S E C O N D S TAG E : TH E AN S E C O N D S TAG E : TH E AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S
AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R AN C I LLAR Y M ATTE R S P R E EE E - -- -TR I AL C O N F E R E N C E TR I AL C O N F E R E N C E TR I AL C O N F E R E N C E TR I AL C O N F E R E N C E
An An cilla ry M a tte rs P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce is u su a lly ca lle d with in a m o n th o f th e
I n te rim Ju d g m e n t b e in g g ra n te d . B o th p a rtie s will b e n o tifie d o f th e C o u rt d a te
b y le tte r.
At th e An cilla ry M a tte rs P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce , th e D e p u ty R e g istra r will a sk b o th
p a rtie s q u e stio n s to se e wh ich o f th e a n cilla ry m a tte rs a re d isp u te d . H e o r sh e
m a y m a k e ce rta in o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs o rd e rs to h e lp b o th p a rtie s co m e to a n a g re e m e n t o n th e
d isp u te d a n cilla ry m a tte rs, in clu d in g o rd e rs fo r th e d isclo su re o f fin a n cia l
d o cu m e n ts, o r fo r p a rtie s to a tte n d co u n se llin g o r a re so lu tio n co n fe re n ce .
I f a g re e m e n t is n o t p o ssib le, th e D ep u ty R e gistra r will a sk b o th p a rtie s to file
th e ir Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s, wh ich m u st in clu d e a ll re le va n t su p p o rtin g m u st in clu d e a ll re le va n t su p p o rtin g m u st in clu d e a ll re le va n t su p p o rtin g m u st in clu d e a ll re le va n t su p p o rtin g
d o cu m e n ts d o cu m e n ts d o cu m e n ts d o cu m e n ts, su ch a s:
! yo u r la te st C P F sta te m e n t o n co n trib u tio n to P u b lic / R e sid e n tia l H o u sin g
! yo u r la te st C P F sta te m e n t sh o win g b a la n ce in o rd in a ry a n d sp e cia l a cco u n ts
! a va lu a tio n o f th e m a trim o n ia l p ro p e rty
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

! d o cu m e n ts e vid e n cin g p a ym e n t o f re n o va tio n co sts a n d fu rn ish in g s fo r th e
m a trim o n ia l p ro p e rty
! sta te m e n ts o f h o u se m o rtg a ge in sta lm e n t p a ym e n ts b y ca sh
! yo u r b a n k b o o k (a ll p a g e s with e n trie s) o r la te st b a n k sta te m e n t fo r e a ch
b a n k a cco u n t
! a co p y o f e a ch in su ra n ce p o licy in so le o r jo in t n a m e s
! a n y d o cu m e n ts e vid en cin g o th e r a sse ts
Th e h e a rin g o f th e a n cilla ry m a tte rs is u su a lly co n d u cte d in ch a m b e rs ch a m b e rs ch a m b e rs ch a m b e rs, m e a n in g
th a t o n ly th e p a rtie s wh o a re d ire ctly in vo lve d in th e m a tte r m a y a tte n d . All th e
e vid e n ce will b e in th e Affid a vits o f Asse ts a n d M e a n s. Th e Ju d g e d o e s n o t
u su a lly ta k e o ra l e vid e n ce fro m yo u if yo u h a ve a lre a d y file d yo u r Affid a vit.
M ATR I M O N I AL AS S E TS W M ATR I M O N I AL AS S E TS W M ATR I M O N I AL AS S E TS W M ATR I M O N I AL AS S E TS WO R TH S $ 1 .5 M I LLI O N O O R TH S $ 1 .5 M I LLI O N O O R TH S $ 1 .5 M I LLI O N O O R TH S $ 1 .5 M I LLI O N O R M O R E R M O R E R M O R E R M O R E
P le a se n o te th a t if e ith e r e ith e r e ith e r e ith e r p a rty d e cla re s th a t th e g ro ss va lu e o f th e m a trim o n ia l
p ro p e rty to b e d ivid e d is S $ 1 .5 m illio n o r m o re , yo u r ca se m u st b e tra n sfe rre d to
th e H ig h C o u rt fo r h e a rin g .
Yo u wo u ld m a k e su ch a d e cla ra tio n wh e n th e D e p u ty R e gistra r a sk s yo u to
co m p le te th e D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts D e cla ra tio n o f th e Va lu e o f M a trim o n ia l Asse ts in th e p re scrib ed
fo rm . Th e D e p u ty R e gistra r will n o rm a lly a sk b o th p a rtie s to co m p le te th e
d e cla ra tio n a t th e fin a l An cilla ry M a tte rs P re -Tria l C o n fe re n ce .
FI N AL JU D G M E N T FI N AL JU D G M E N T FI N AL JU D G M E N T FI N AL JU D G M E N T
Th re e m o n th s a fte r th e C o u rt h a s gra n te d a n I n te rim Ju d gm e n t, yo u m a y
p ro ce e d to a p p ly fo r th e C e rtifica te o f M a k in g I n te r C e rtifica te o f M a k in g I n te r C e rtifica te o f M a k in g I n te r C e rtifica te o f M a k in g I n te rim Ju d gm e n t Fin a l im Ju d gm e n t Fin a l im Ju d gm e n t Fin a l im Ju d gm e n t Fin a l, o r Fin a l Fin a l Fin a l Fin a l
Ju d gm e n t Ju d gm e n t Ju d gm e n t Ju d g m e n t. Th is will co n firm yo u r d ivo rce , a n d co n clu d e a ll C o u rt p ro ce e d in g s.
I f yo u a re th e P la in tiff P la in tiff P la in tiff P la in tiff, a p p ly fo r yo u r Fin a l Ju d gm e n t th ro u gh th e E FS / La wN e t
S e rvice B u re a u .
I f yo u a re th e D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t D e fe n d a n t, yo u m u st first a p p ly fo r th e C o u rt’s p e rm issio n to a p p ly
fo r yo u r Fin a l Ju d gm e n t. Ap p ly b y su m m o n s su m m o n s su m m o n s su m m o n s, with a su p p o rtin g a ffid a vit a ffid a vit a ffid a vit a ffid a vit
e xp la in in g wh y yo u , a n d n o t th e P la in tiff, h a ve h a d to a p p ly fo r th e Fin a l
Ju d gm e n t.

R e la te d Fa m ily C o u rt p u b lica tio n s R e la te d Fa m ily C o u rt p u b lica tio n s R e la te d Fa m ily C o u rt p u b lica tio n s R e la te d Fa m ily C o u rt p u b lica tio n s
! Ab o u t D ivo rce Fa ct S h ee t
D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce D ivo rce P ro ce d u re
FAC T S H E E T

Th e se fa ct sh e e ts co n ta in ge n e ra l in fo rm a tio n o n ly, a n d a re n o t in te n d e d a s le ga l a d vice . Th e
Fa m ily C o u rt ca n n o t g ive yo u le ga l a d vice . O n ly a q u a lifie d la wye r ca n give yo u in d e p e n d e n t
le ga l a d vice a s to th e m e rits o f yo u r ca se .

! Affid a vits Fa ct S h eet
! C o u n se llin g a n d Yo u
! G e n e ra l I n fo rm a tio n Fa ct S h e e t
! S u m m o n s Fa ct S h e e t
! Th e Fa m ily R e la tio n s C e n tre a n d Yo u
! Wh y D o I H a ve To S e e A C o u n se llo r? (Fo r Ad u lts)
! Wh y D o I H a ve To S e e A C o u n se llo r? (Fo r C h ild re n )