DIVORCE: Getting the Right Advice

Breaking up is hard to do. But an expat divorce abroad adds a whole other level of complexity. Here, legal experts walk us through the divorce process for expats in Singapore including the new divorce by mutual agreement that just came into force in July 2024.

- GEORGINA HOCKLEY

New development: divorce by mutual agreement

JEREMY CHEONG is a partner at JCP Law LLC, a law firm in Singapore advising clients on a broad range of matters including litigation, international arbitration, corporate and commercial advisory, criminal defence, family and matrimonial law, probate and letters of administration, torts, and employment.

There is only one reason for divorce to be granted in Singapore, which is the "irretrievable breakdown" of the marriage. To prove that there is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, there used to be five grounds, namely adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, separation of three years with consent, or separation of four years without consent. "With the introduction of divorce by mutual agreement, couples now have a completely neutral scenario that can be cited in divorce proceedings," explains Jeremy. This new option, which increases the number of grounds from five to six, allows couples to divorce without needing to prove fault or meet the lengthy separation requirements.

"It aims to reduce acrimony in divorce and better allow the family to heal and move on, especially when children are involved," says Jeremy.