LINEALAW LLC
LINEALAW LLC
Divorce guide

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Singapore?

You are not required to have a lawyer, and you can file in person. But because a divorce settles your assets, home, and children's arrangements for years, most people find advice worth having.

2 min read
Hands taking notes on paper at a table
In short
  • You can represent yourself in the Family Justice Courts.
  • The court provides online filing and self-help resources for people without lawyers.
  • The biggest risk is agreeing terms that are hard to change later.
  • Even a limited review of your agreement before you sign can be valuable.

Representing yourself

Singapore law allows you to act for yourself in a divorce. The Family Justice Courts provide online filing and guides for people who do not have a lawyer, and some straightforward, fully agreed divorces are completed this way.

If your finances are limited, you may qualify for help from the Legal Aid Bureau, or from pro bono services.

Where a lawyer makes a difference

A divorce is not only paperwork. It settles who keeps the home, how CPF and savings are shared, how your children's lives will be arranged, and whether maintenance is paid. These orders are difficult to change later. A lawyer helps in a few specific ways:

  • Explaining what you are likely to be entitled to, so you can tell whether a proposed deal is fair.
  • Spotting practical issues, such as HDB eligibility and CPF refunds, before you agree terms that cannot work.
  • Drafting the papers and settlement terms correctly, so they are accepted by the court and enforceable.
  • Handling negotiation, mediation, and hearings, so you do not have to deal directly with your spouse when it is difficult.
Two cups of coffee on a wooden cafe table

When self-representation is riskier

It is particularly worth getting advice if your spouse has a lawyer, if there are significant assets or a business, if there are disputes about the children, if there has been family violence, or if there is an international element.

How we can help

At Linea, we start from what you need the outcome to be. We will tell you honestly whether you need us for the whole divorce, or just a review of terms you have already agreed.

This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.

All divorce guides
Keep reading

Related questions

How much does a divorce cost in Singapore?

The cost depends mainly on whether your divorce is uncontested or contested. Uncontested divorces are usually quoted as a fixed fee; contested matters vary widely with complexity.

Read the guide

What's the difference between a contested and an uncontested divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, you agree on everything: the divorce and all the terms. In a contested divorce, you disagree on at least one issue, and the court decides what you can't agree.

Read the guide

Do I have to appear in court for a divorce?

For an uncontested divorce, you usually won't need to attend court. In a contested divorce, you are likely to attend mediation and some hearings, and your lawyer will prepare you for each one.

Read the guide

Where to start

If you're considering a divorce and unsure where to begin, book an initial consultation. We'll walk you through the process, the likely timeline, and how fees would work — so you can decide whether and how to proceed. It's a private, no-pressure conversation with the lawyer who would handle your matter.

Our divorce services

Have questions?

Send us a quick note below and let's figure things out together.

office@linealaw.sg

(65) 6219 9027

Send an enquiry