A Singapore Government Agency Website
For Person Planning to File for Divorce (Applicant)
Important steps and things to take note of should you wish to file for divorce.
For Person Planning to File for Divorce (Applicant)
Making the decision to divorce may be one of the most difficult choices you will need to make, and your decision can have a major impact on your life. If you are still undecided, you may visit our page on Making A Decision to help you decide if you are making the right choice.
It may feel like you have come to the end of the road and that divorce is the only solution. By this stage, do ensure that you have thought everything through carefully.
Should you have decided to proceed with a divorce, it would be ideal if you (applicant[1]) and your spouse have come to a full agreement on the reason(s) for divorce and all ancillary matters, and file for divorce on the simplified track. If you and your spouse are unable to reach a full agreement on the reason(s) for divorce and all ancillary matters, you may wish to consider mediation, where a neutral party (mediator) will facilitate discussions with the goal of you and your spouse coming to a mutual agreement.
Note that you are required to attend the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) if you have children under 21 years old before filing for divorce.
Pause and Reflect
Is divorce the only or best way forward? Have I exhausted all other options?
Would my spouse see my filing for divorce coming? Do I want to speak to my spouse about it first?
To find out more about divorce proceedings, you may refer to the Family Justice Court (FJC)’s e-brochure, Divorce in Singapore: The Essentials. For an overview of the timeline of divorce proceedings, please click here.
If you are searching for a lawyer or require help with your divorce proceedings, you may refer to our page on Legal Resources.
[1] Previously known as "plaintiff", based on amendments to Family Justice Rules.
