If you and your spouse agree to divorce and have reached agreement on the relevant issues, an uncontested divorce in Singapore can provide a more straightforward and cost-effective way to complete the divorce process.
GJC Law offers fixed fee uncontested divorce packages from $1,500, with different packages depending on whether your divorce involves children, property or maintenance.
Our family lawyers handle the preparation and filing of the necessary divorce documents and guide you through the uncontested divorce process from commencement to the Final Judgment.
- An uncontested divorce generally means both spouses agree to the divorce and the ancillary matters that need to be resolved.
- A straightforward uncontested divorce takes approximately 4 to 5 months from filing to Final Judgment.
- Packages for suitable matters involving children, property and/or maintenance are from $2,500.
- Where issues remain unresolved, reaching agreement may still allow the divorce to proceed on an uncontested basis.
What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Singapore?
An uncontested divorce is one where the spouses are able to proceed without requiring the Court to determine disputes between them.
This does not mean that you cannot have children, a matrimonial home, CPF monies or maintenance arrangements.
A couple may have several ancillary matters to deal with but still proceed with an uncontested divorce if they can agree on how those matters will be resolved.
These may include:
- arrangements concerning their children;
- what will happen to the matrimonial home;
- division of matrimonial assets;
- CPF-related arrangements;
- child maintenance; and
- spousal maintenance.
The agreed terms can then be incorporated into the appropriate divorce documents for filing with the Family Justice Courts.
When Can a Divorce Proceed Uncontested?
An uncontested divorce may be suitable where both spouses agree to proceed with the divorce and are able to reach agreement on the necessary ancillary matters.
The important distinction is not simply whether you have children or own property. It is whether those matters remain disputed.
For example, spouses with children and an HDB flat may still be able to proceed with an uncontested divorce if they have agreed on the children’s arrangements and what will happen to the matrimonial home.
Where disagreements remain, the outstanding issues may need to be resolved before the divorce can proceed fully on an uncontested basis.
How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Singapore?
GJC Law offers two fixed fee packages for suitable uncontested divorce matters.
| Package | Fee | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Package 1 | From $1,500 | No children and no property |
| Package 2 | From $2,500 | Children, property and/or maintenance |
The applicable package and fees will depend on the circumstances of your divorce and the scope of work required.
If circumstances change or the matter develops into a dispute requiring work outside the agreed scope, any additional legal fees will be explained before that work is undertaken.
How Does the Uncontested Divorce Process Work?
Divorce proceedings in Singapore generally involve two stages.
Stage 1 – Divorce
The first stage deals with the dissolution of the marriage.
The necessary divorce documents are prepared and filed with the Family Justice Courts. Where the legal requirements are satisfied, the Court may grant an Interim Judgment.
The Interim Judgment confirms that the marriage is to be dissolved, but it is not yet the Final Judgment.
Stage 2 – Ancillary Matters
The second stage deals with ancillary matters arising from the divorce. Depending on the circumstances, these may include:
- arrangements for the children;
- maintenance;
- the matrimonial home; and
- division of matrimonial assets.
In an uncontested divorce, the spouses have generally reached agreement on the relevant ancillary matters. The agreed terms can therefore be placed before the Court without requiring the Court to determine those issues following a contested hearing.
Once the applicable requirements have been satisfied, the divorce can proceed towards the Final Judgment.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Singapore?
An uncontested divorce in Singapore can generally progress more quickly where both spouses have agreed on the divorce and the ancillary matters.
Once the divorce documents have been filed and accepted by the Family Justice Courts, the Interim Judgment may typically be obtained in approximately 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the Court’s processing time and whether any amendments or additional documents are required.
The Interim Judgment does not immediately end the marriage. The Final Judgment can generally be extracted 3 months after the Interim Judgment, provided the relevant requirements have been satisfied.
As a general guide, a straightforward uncontested divorce may therefore take approximately 4 to 5 months from filing to Final Judgment.
Timelines can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, the completeness of the documents and the Family Justice Courts‘ processing time.
Why Clients Choose Us
GJC Law’s family law team handles both uncontested and contested divorce proceedings, including matters involving children, matrimonial assets, property and maintenance.
Almost 30 Years of Family Law Experience
Head of Family Law Gloria James-Civetta has 30 years of legal experience and has handled a broad range of divorce and family law matters.
Family Law and Dispute Resolution Experience
Our practice combines family law experience with mediation and dispute resolution. This can be particularly relevant where spouses are seeking practical ways to resolve outstanding issues and avoid unnecessary contested proceedings.
Fixed Fee Options
Our fixed fee uncontested divorce packages provide greater clarity about the scope of work and legal fees before you proceed.
Assistance With Children, Property and Maintenance
An uncontested divorce can still involve important decisions concerning children, HDB or private property, CPF monies, maintenance and matrimonial assets. Our family lawyers regularly advise on these issues.
Support if Circumstances Change
Sometimes a divorce that begins on an uncontested basis develops complications or disagreements.
As GJC Law handles both uncontested and contested family proceedings, our lawyers can advise on the next steps if circumstances change during the divorce process.
Speak with our family law team to understand the divorce process, the information required and the next steps for filing your divorce in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Having children does not automatically make a divorce contested.
If both parents can agree on the relevant arrangements concerning custody, care and control, access and maintenance, those arrangements can form part of an uncontested divorce.
Yes. Owning an HDB flat, private property or other matrimonial assets does not necessarily make a divorce contested.
The spouses will need to reach agreement on how the property and relevant assets are to be dealt with, subject to applicable HDB and CPF requirements.
You may both agree that the marriage should end but still disagree about children, maintenance, the matrimonial home or division of matrimonial assets.
If those outstanding issues can subsequently be resolved, it may still be possible to proceed on an uncontested basis. If agreement cannot be reached, the Court may need to determine the disputed ancillary matters.
An uncontested divorce generally involves less legal work than proceedings requiring extensive negotiations, applications or contested hearings.
GJC Law offers fixed fee uncontested divorce packages from $1,500, depending on the circumstances and scope of the matter.
GJC Law’s fixed fee uncontested divorce packages are from $1,500 for suitable matters with no children or property and from $2,500 for suitable matters involving children, property and/or maintenance.
Not necessarily. “Uncontested” generally describes a divorce where the parties are not asking the Court to determine disputed issues. Whether a matter can proceed under the applicable simplified process depends on the circumstances and the requirements of the Family Justice Courts.
Not necessarily. One spouse may engage a lawyer to prepare and file the divorce documents. However, a lawyer acts for their own client and does not simultaneously represent the other spouse. The other spouse may obtain independent legal advice if they wish.
If disagreements arise after the process has started, the appropriate next steps will depend on what is disputed.
The parties may still be able to resolve the outstanding issues through discussion, negotiation or mediation. If agreement cannot be reached, further Court proceedings may be required to determine the disputed matters.
We’re Here for You
GJC Law’s family lawyers advise on both uncontested and contested divorce proceedings, including issues involving children, maintenance and matrimonial assets.
You may arrange a Free 20-minute Divorce Process Call to understand the process and next steps, or a Strategic Divorce Consultation if you require legal advice on your position and options.
