Want A Divorce Read This!

Breaking up is hard to do, but divorcing in a foreign country is a whole different story. Here, three legal experts walk us through the divorce process for expats in Singapore - from filing for a divorce and jurisdiction to splitting assets and more.

- Amy Greenburg

Can expats get divorced in Singapore?

Expats can get divorced in Singapore as long as at least one of the spouses has lived in Singapore for a continuous period of three years, explains SARAH-MAE THOMAS, a Singapore- and Australia-qualified lawyer, and managing director of Sarah-Mae Thomas LLC. The firm specializes in family law, civil litigation, and juvenile matters.

“It doesn't matter if the marriage took place overseas or if the couple didn't register their marriage in Singapore. If one partner is Singaporean and the other is an expat, the parties will not need to meet this three-year requirement, says Sarah-Mae.

Do note, however, that there is an absolute bar – save for two limited exceptions – of divorce in the first three years of marriage, regardless of whether you're an expat or Singaporean.

Filing for divorce: The first steps

When filing for divorce as an expat, Sarah-Mae says you'll need to provide evidence that you have resided in Singapore for three consecutive years. Evidence may include your tax documents, tenancy agreements or employment passes. Since the requirement is only for either party to meet the jurisdiction rather than both, it would be fulfilled so long as the husband, for example, has been in Singapore for three years, even if his wife has just joined him.

If you've met the jurisdictional requirement, you will need to consider whether you want your divorce to take place in Singapore or in another country. Where you divorce can significantly affect the outcome, so it's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of divorcing in another country versus Singapore