Marriage Separation Lawyers
Many couples choose separation as a precursor to a divorce, especially where the divorce is amicable, or no one is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage.
Supporting you through marriage separation
We take pride in being a trusted and leading provider of deed of separation agreement services in Singapore. We understand that the decision to separate from your spouse can be emotionally challenging, and we are dedicated to simplifying the process while keeping it affordable for our valued clients.
Fixed and transparent fees
One of the significant advantages of choosing our firm is our commitment to providing fixed and transparent fees for our deed of separation agreement services. When you engage us, you can rest assured that your costs are fixed, eliminating concerns about hidden fees or unexpected legal bills.
A safe and trusted choice
Our firm and lawyers have earned a well-deserved reputation as leading Singapore lawyers, recognised by esteemed publications such as the Straits Times, Benchmark Litigation, Asian Legal Business, Singapore Business Review, and Doyle's Guide. With over 30 years of history we have built trust with clients, including major banks like DBS, UOB, OCBC, and Maybank.
Situations where separation may make sense
Choosing the right path for your separation is crucial, and we are here to guide you. Situations where separation may be preferred over divorce include shorter marriages, a desire to take time to decide the best course of action, strong religious beliefs, or the need to fulfil the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) for HDB flat sales.
Why a Deed of Separation?
A deed of separation agreement is a legally binding document that allows both parties to define the terms of their separation, addressing critical aspects such as:
- Housing arrangements for couples no longer living together.
- Equitable division of marital assets.
- Custody, care, and control of your children.
- Access arrangements for your children.
- Maintenance obligations for both spouses and their children.
The Deed of Separation is a private document, not submitted to Court. It is essential to seek guidance from legal experts who have legal expertise in this area. We are here to provide you with the support and advice you need during this challenging time, ensuring you make informed decisions for your future.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation, and let us assist you in finding the best way forward for your separation.
Work with an award winning team
PKWA Law has been recognised in The Straits Times ranking of “Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2025” for the fifth consecutive year.
For the 8th consecutive year we were recognised by Doyles as a leading family law firm in Singapore.
For the 5th year in a row we have been named as a leading Family law firm in Benchmark Litigation 2024 awards.
Google Rating
Based on 687 reviews
We've consistently received positive reviews from our clients on our service and results.
Why do clients choose us?
We have over 30 years of history, and more than 100 employees. We are an established family law firm you can count on.
Our fees are fixed and affordable from the outset so that you can have peace of mind from the get-go.
We have excellent reviews and testimonials from numerous clients across various independent platforms.
Our team are consistently recognized as leading lawyers by the Straits Times, and other leading publications.
We are trusted by leading corporations such as DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, HSBC, Citibank, and CPF Board.
We usually offer a free first consultation so you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed.
Meet some of our marriage separation team
- Recognised as a Rising Star in Family Law for 2025 by Doyles Guide.
- Included in Asian Legal Business’s 2022 list of Singapore’s Rising Stars, highlighting "the next generation of lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional potential and earned significant client acclaim."
- Honoured as one of Singapore Business Review’s “Most Influential Lawyers Aged 40 and Under” in 2016, celebrated for his thought leadership, influence, and accomplishments in the legal industry.
Dorothy is recognised as a top divorce lawyer by several legal publications, including:
- Doyle’s Guide: Consistently ranked as a Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer from 2016 through 2025.
- Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific: Named one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation in both 2021 and 2022.
- Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific: Recognized as a Litigation Star in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
- Asian Legal Business: Shortlisted for “Woman Lawyer of the Year” in both 2018 and 2024.
- Singapore Business Review: Honoured as one of "Singapore’s Most Influential Lawyers Aged 40 and Under”in 2016.
Articles on Marriage Separation in Singapore
- There is indeed irretrievable marital breakdown
- They have made satisfactory arrangements for any children involved, such as for their education, custody, and financial provisions
Consequences of judicial separation
It is important to understand that a judicial separation is not the same as a divorce. The parties are still able to file for divorce if they wish to do so at a later stage. But in the meantime, the marriage is not terminated, and remarriage is not allowed for either party. If, for example, one party died without a will whilst the judicial separation judgement still applies, and the parties are separated; then the surviving party may not inherit intestate from the deceased party.What if the parties want to reunite?
If the parties want to reconcile, then they may ask the court for a rescission of the judicial separation judgement. Whether the separation is informal or granted by the court, it can have serious legal consequences. As separation is one of the legal grounds for demonstrating a marriage has broken down irretrievably, parties should speak to a layer before deciding on the separation terms. It will make settling ancillary matters easier and quicker if financial and living arrangement have been properly documented, including care and custody of any children. A lawyer who specialises in this area will be able to explain the consequences and benefits of the different routes to separation, helping you to decide on the best course of action for you." ["post_title"]=> string(32) "Marriage Separation in Singapore" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(20) "separation-singapore" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-10-10 00:27:42" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-10-09 16:27:42" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(44) "https://singaporefamilylawyers.com.sg/?p=856" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(WP_Post)#8728 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(997) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2022-06-11 09:35:34" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-06-11 01:35:34" ["post_content"]=> string(2423) "How does a Divorce differ from a Deed of Separation?
In order to end a marriage legally, you must go through the process of divorce. However, sometimes you might not yet be ready for a divorce and may wish to try living apart from each other instead. In this situation, you can use a written Separation Agreement. This is a contract in law that the couple use to record how they have agreed to separate, and how the divorce should be carried out. The date when parties began living apart is recorded in the Deed of Separation, so often the divorce will be based on that ground of separation.What terms should be included in a Deed of Separation?
The terms of agreement on issues such as the following should be noted in the Deed of Separation:- The reason the divorce is taking place
- When the divorce proceedings will begin
- Who will begin the divorce proceedings
- If children are involved, how care, custody and control duties have been arranged
- How the marital assets should be dealt with whilst the divorce is happening
- Any interim arrangement that the parties made until the beginning or conclusion of the divorce proceedings
- Any spousal or child maintenance agreements.
Divorce papers still need to be filed
To be effective, both parties to the marriage have to sign the Deed of Separation. Remember that simply signing a Deed of Separation does not mean that the divorce has happened – you still need to file for divorce. This is because a Deed of Separation is not filed with a court, so even though the parties have signed it, the court and any relevant government departments will not be made aware of it.When is a Deed of Separation most useful for me?
You’ll find the deed most useful when:- You want to separate from your partner, but you have young children or financial issues which makes it a bad time to get a divorce.
- You’re not sure if a divorce it what you want, but you wish to try living apart from your spouse.
- You don’t fulfil the other criteria for getting a divorce (the grounds of adultery or unreasonable behaviour), and both of you agree that the marriage was a mistake.
Divorce by Mutual Agreement in Singapore
From July 1, married couples can cite divorce by mutual agreement as a reason for divorce if they agree that their marriage has broken down irretrievably. This change to the Women’s Charter will allow couples to divorce without blaming each other. Previously, the existing grounds for divorce are adultery, desertion, unreasonable behaviour, and separation for three years with consent and four years without consent. Now, parties can also file for divorce on the ground that they both mutually agree without assigning blame. To apply for Divorce by Mutual Agreement, parties must provide the court with reasons to conclude that their marriage has irretrievably broken down, and show that they have made efforts to reconcile. Ultimately, the court must be satisfied that granting a divorce is just and reasonable, considering all circumstances.Why is divorce by mutual agreement being introduced?
The goal is to lessen conflict and prevent children from being embroiled in tension or arguments when parents throw accusations at each another. It also intends to preserve the mental health of the parties whilst they are going through the divorce.The benefit of divorce by mutual agreement
A benefit of divorce by mutual agreement is there is no need for the parties to live separately, such as in a divorce by separation with consent. This offers "therapeutic justice" to the family justice system, less disruption to the children, and does not go against parties should they still live together.How divorce by mutual agreement can make the process better for everyone
The children will benefit. They won’t hear or read about their parents blaming each other for their divorce. It is not uncommon for some people's mental health issues to be caused by childhood trauma, stemming from how their parents behaved in from of them. As previously discussed, a divorce by mutual agreement does not require parties to live separately. This allows children to have more regular contact with their parents. It provides the parents more time to source alternative accommodation and get their finances in order. This also saves being compelled to make rash decisions for fear of delaying the process. The divorce petition will take considerably less time, expense, and effort to produce than the other grounds for divorce. This is because there is less finger pointing regarding the unreasonable behaviour of one party. The smoother the process, the less stressful the divorce will be. Arguing over who is in the wrong and who is in the right will only cause further acrimony. Stepping away from blame may also preserve the parent's inclination from tainting their children's view of the other parent. Not only would stepping away from blame prevent stress, but it also would prevent disagreements to the terms suggested by either party. The grounds which constitute 'blame' can upset the other party as they would naturally become defensive. The accused party could then dispute the divorce, either slowing down or, in the worst cases, denying the divorce altogether. If this happens, and the opposing party rejects accusations of unreasonable behaviour, a judge may decline to break the marriage. So, although divorce by mutual agreement is more amicable and offers a smoother resolution, it does not necessarily mean the divorce will be without contention, emotion, or resistance.How long will it take to be granted a divorce?
It remains that to be eligible to file for a divorce; the couple must be married for at least three years. This is applicable in all cases, no matter the grounds relied upon. Once all terms are agreed upon, there is a three-month reflection period before the divorce is finalised. This reflection period allows both parties to decide whether the divorce is indeed what they want. The timescale of the divorce process largely depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. A divorce is contested when parties cannot agree to all terms and issues amicably. Therefore, a court's involvement is required, as a judge will decide on the matters the parties cannot agree on. A contested divorce can take up to a year or more from start to finish. An uncontested divorce is a divorce where both parties agree to the divorce, and all ancillary matters of the divorce are agreed upon mutually. An uncontested divorce can be concluded from start to finish in four months. An uncontested divorce is often the less stressful and cheaper route rather than a contested divorce. Although you may pursue a divorce by mutual agreement, it does not necessarily mean the divorce will be uncontested. The divorce may become contested due to a disagreement on how child arrangements should be made or how the finances should be split. Should the divorce become contested, you would need a judge to make the final decision on the matters on which each party disagrees.Why you should still use a divorce lawyer in a divorce by mutual agreement
There are two sides to decision-making. There is the emotional side and the logical side. These are two distinct aspects which often do not work harmoniously together. What do we mean by this? When you make decisions based on emotion, it is because of a feeling or a want. It is typically a natural response to a situation which is important to you, whether it upsets you or makes you happy. Take, for example, smoking cigarettes. Logically, you know you shouldn't smoke because it harms your health. However, because of your emotional state, a craving, or a stressful situation, you may still choose to smoke. It is the same with approaching a divorce. Emotion and logic do not necessarily coincide, which results in parties pursuing or agreeing to terms out of emotion rather than logic. This can cause a person to agree to unfavourable terms. It can also cause the whole process to derail.The solution
Our lawyers can guide you through a Divorce by Mutual Agreement, using our expertise to help avoid it becoming contested. Having an experienced lawyer act, and taking an objective stance, means we will apply logic to achieve the best outcome. At the same time, we will take your instructions to understand the situation and what means most to you. We can also assist you in making the correct financial decisions. What you believe to be a good deal at the time may not be enough for you to live on in the future. Matters such as earning capacities and future expenses are sometimes difficult concepts to grasp and understand. Getting the best legal advice and knowing you are receiving the most out of the divorce, you will also achieve greater peace of mind. The preparation of documents can be difficult and stressful. Our lawyers have years of experience helping people prepare their documents succinctly and accurately. Having advice and help with negotiations on when to insist on terms and when to make concessions to get the things which are most important to you may be invaluable. Letting us take the reins will free up your time and allow you to continue working and being part of your children's life. We can also advise you on making the best care arrangements for your children. Should the divorce process deteriorate, we can present your case if a dispute or disagreement cannot be amicably settled. We are here to advise, represent you, and make the divorce process as stress-free as possible. Don't hesitate to contact our lawyers if you are considering a divorce in Singapore." ["post_title"]=> string(57) "Divorce by Mutual Agreement in Singapore From 1 July 2024" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(27) "divorce-by-mutual-agreement" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-07-28 08:20:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-07-28 00:20:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(45) "https://singaporefamilylawyers.com.sg/?p=1177" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } }Contact Us
Call Us:
+65 6854 5336
WhatsApp Us:
+65 9090 3158
Email Us:
enquiry@pkwalaw.com
Address:
480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
#16-01, East Wing, HBD Hub,
Singapore 310480
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