Courts in Singapore grant divorce when you establish an ‘irretrievable breakdown of your marriage.’ Hence, all divorces need to have reasonable grounds, the details of which are in the Women’s Charter. You can work out the evidence with your lawyer and go ahead.
There are five established cases where courts allow divorces –
- Adultery.
- Unreasonable Behaviour.
- Abandonment of 2 years.
- Separation for three years with a spouse’s consent.
- Separation for four years.
Establishing adultery for divorce
Adultery refers to having intercourse with a third person. However, it does not cover courtship or lesser physical intimacies.
A confession, written evidence, or a private investigator’s report are acceptable evidence in court.
It is best to file a divorce within the following six months of discovery. Otherwise, the case may be overruled.
Establish unreasonable behavior
Unreasonable behaviour can range across several issues. 53.7% of divorces are based on these grounds.
It generally covers the poor and unfair treatment of one partner by the other. Some standard cases include –
- Violence or threat of violence in physical or verbal form.
- Aggressive behaviour from alcoholism.
- Public humiliation or criticism.
- Compulsive gambling habits.
- Little to no interest in the partner’s life.
- Compulsive spending (beyond the couple’s means)
- Refusal to resolve matters with the partner.
The case becomes more comfortable for an uncontested divorce as courts need not see the evidence.
The court observes the couples’ behaviour and assesses their active and passive acts.
If they believe the marriage is being affected by the patterns shown, they fulfil the divorce.
Abandonment of two years
In this case, one partner must have deserted the other continually for two years.
You need to prove you are living separately and your partner has not made an attempt to reconcile.
Separation for three years
Separation differs from abandonment as it involves the couples’ knowledge and consent.
If the partners have lived separately for three years straight, it is ground for divorce. However, both must agree to it.
The approach is a no-fault divorce where the couples choose to dissolve their union amicably.
Separation for four years
If you and your spouse have lived apart for four straight years, you can apply for a divorce without mutual consent.
In this case, the divorce is more automatic and does not need evidence.
Your Call to Action Establishing grounds for divorce can be a long process with legal binding. You can get in touch with lawyers by filling-up our form and find out more.
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