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Family Law

We provide comprehensive family law services with a compassionate approach, backed by an experienced team committed to achieving the best outcomes for you and your family.

Family Law

At Hoh Law Corporation, we provide a comprehensive range of family law services backed by years of experience handling diverse family matters. We understand that family law issues can be complex and emotionally challenging and are committed to delivering practical legal solutions with compassion, professionalism, and affordability.

What family law services does Hoh Law Corporation provide?

Hoh Law Corporation provides a wide range of family law services that support individuals and families through different stages of life. 

Our family law services include:

  • Divorce Matters
  • Personal Protection Orders (PPO)
  • Guardianship
  • Adoption 
  • Other Family-Related Matters 
  • Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) 
  • Mental Capacity Act (MCA) / Deputyship
    (Find out more about MCA and LPA)

Divorce Matters

We understand that deciding to end a marriage is never easy. With our experience in handling divorce matters, we provide clear legal advice and practical solutions to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Our services include:

  • Divorce proceedings
  • Drafting Deeds of Separation
  • Drafting Family Arrangement Agreements
  • Advice on Judicial Separation
  • Advice on Annulment Applications
  • Maintenance Applications and/or Enforcement of Court-Ordered Maintenance

Book a Divorce Consultation

As part of our commitment to providing affordable legal services, we offer a free 15-minute consultation for divorce-related enquiries. Contact any of our Hoh Law Corporation branch offices to schedule an appointment.

Documents to prepare before consultation:

  • NRICs of yourself and your spouse;
  • Marriage Certificate;
  • Birth Certificate and/or NRIC of all children;
  • Deed of Separation (if any);
  • Previous court orders (PPO, Maintenance Orders, etc.);
  • Outstanding mortgage / HDB loan statements;
  • CPF Housing Withdrawal Statement (if any);
  • Any other documents including Private investigator’s report or evidence that you may wish to seek advice on the reasons for the breakdown of the marriage.

You may also consult our legal team to understand the necessary documents required for your matter.

Points to note before proceeding to file your divorce application:

  1. Pre-Conditions for Divorce under Singapore Law

     

    In Singapore, spouses must generally be married for at least 3 years before filing for divorce. In exceptional cases involving hardship or unreasonable behaviour, leave of court may be sought to file earlier. Additionally, either spouse must be domiciled (permanent home) in Singapore or have been habitually resident in Singapore for at least 3 years before commencing divorce proceedings.

    Parties married under Syariah law should file for divorce in the Syariah Court instead. Read on to learn more about our Syariah Law Services.

     

  2. Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (“CPP”)

     

    For parties with children below 21 years of age (regardless of whether parties have reached an agreement on divorce), completion of the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) is required before filing for divorce, and the completion certificate must be submitted with the divorce application.

    The mandatory programme includes an e-learning module and counselling session designed to help parents understand the impact of divorce on their children and make informed decisions about future family arrangements.

    The CPP can be applied at your convenience using your SingPass at the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s website. You may also check your eligibility for the CPP via the website.

Proceeding with Divorce Application:

The Court must be satisfied that one of these reasons for the irretrievable breakdown of marriage has been satisfied before a divorce order can be granted.

Grounds for Divorce

There are a few reasons on which you (the person who initiate the divorce) may base your divorce application upon, including:-

    • Unreasonable Behaviour: Your spouse has behaved in such a way that you cannot reasonably be expected to live with him/her. 
    • Desertion: Your spouse has deserted you or left against your wishes for a continuous period of at least 2 years. 
    • Separation: You and your spouse have been living separately and apart, or have continued residing under the same roof while maintaining separate households for a continuous period of at least three (3) years from the date of separation and provided your spouse agrees to the divorce. OR Where the consent of the other spouse cannot be obtained, then the parties must have lived separately and apart, or have continued residing under the same roof while maintaining separate households, for a continuous period of at least four (4) years from the date of separation before divorce proceedings may be commenced.
    • Adultery: Your spouse has cheated on you by having sexual relations with someone else, and you find it intolerable to live with your spouse.
    • Divorce by Mutual Agreement: You and your spouse agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The parties should show that reasonable efforts at reconciliation were made, such as through counsellors, religious leaders, or family and friends.

Ancillary Matters related to Divorce

Child Order

For children of the marriage under 21 years of age, the Court may make orders on:

  1. Custody

    Custody refers to a parent’s legal authority to make major long-term decisions regarding a child’s upbringing.

    • Types:
      • Sole Custody
      • Joint Custody (generally preferred by the Court) 


  2. Care and Control
    Care and control determines the child’s day-to-day living arrangements. 
    • Types: 
      • Sole Care and Control (most common) 
      • Shared Care and Control (less common)

         

  1. Access
    Access refers to the time the non-residential parent spends with the child.
    • Types: 
      • Reasonable/Liberal Access – flexible arrangements between the parents.
      • Specified Access – fixed days and times, including day or overnight access.
      • Supervised Access – visits take place under supervision.

The child’s best interests remain the Court’s primary consideration.

Division of Matrimonial Assets

What Are Matrimonial Assets?

They generally includes:

  • Assets acquired before marriage and ordinarily used by the family (e.g. matrimonial home). 
  • Assets acquired before marriage but substantially improved during the marriage. 
  • Assets acquired during the marriage, including:-
    • CPF savings 
    • Bank accounts 
    • Vehicles 
    • Jewellery
    • Shares 
    • Cryptocurrencies 
    • Investments (e.g. gold) 

 

Matrimonial Assets generally excluded:

  • Gifts and inheritances, unless substantially improved during the marriage or used as the matrimonial home.

 

How Are Matrimonial Assets Divided?

The Court divides assets based on what is just and equitable, not necessarily a 50:50 split.

Factors considered include:

  • Financial contributions towards acquiring, improving or maintaining the assets. 
  • Non-financial contributions to the family and household. 
  • The needs of the children. 
  • Any agreement between the parties regarding asset ownership or division.

Personal Protection Orders (PPO)

In Singapore, a Personal Protection Order (“PPO”) is a court order designed to protect someone from family violence. It is issued by the Family Justice Courts.

 

A PPO can be granted when a family member has committed or is likely to commit family violence against another family member. Family violence can include:

  • Causing physical harm. 
  • Placing someone in fear of physical harm. 
  • Wrongfully confining or restraining someone. 
  • Persistent harassment that causes significant emotional or psychological distress (in certain family contexts). 

 

A PPO may:

  • Prohibit the respondent (the person the order is against) from using family violence. 
  • Include additional conditions, such as staying away from the protected person’s home or workplace if the court considers it necessary. 
  • Be accompanied by other orders, such as a Domestic Exclusion Order (“DEO”), which prevents the respondent from entering parts of the shared home. 

If there is an immediate risk of harm, the court may also issue an Expedited Order (“EO”) to provide temporary protection while the PPO application is being decided.

Guardianship

Guardianship is the legal responsibility to care for and make important decisions on behalf of a child under the age of 21 in Singapore. A guardian is responsible for safeguarding the child’s welfare, including decisions relating to education, healthcare, living arrangements, and overall well-being.

Who Can Be a Guardian?

  • Parents are generally the natural guardians of their children. 
  • A guardian may also be appointed by a parent (for example, through a will) or by the court when necessary and in the child’s best interests. 

Why is Guardianship Important?

  • Ensures a trusted adult can care for a child if the parents are unable to do so. 
  • Provides continuity in the child’s care, education, and welfare. 
  • Helps protect the child’s interests during unforeseen circumstances.

Adoption

Adoption is the legal process through which a person or couple becomes the permanent legal parent(s) of a child under the age of 21. Once an adoption order is granted by the court, the adoptive parent(s) assume the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as a natural parent.

Why Adopt?

  • Provides a child with a safe, stable, and permanent family. 
  • Gives the child the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing and supportive home. 
  • Creates a lifelong legal parent-child relationship. 

Key Features of Adoption:

  • Permanent – Adoption establishes a lifelong legal family relationship. 
  • Legal Parental Rights – Adoptive parents have the same legal rights and responsibilities as biological parents. 
  • Child-Centred – The court’s paramount consideration is the child’s welfare and best interests.

Difference between Guardianship and Adoption

Guardianship

Adoption

Gives a person legal authority to care for and make decisions for a child.

Creates a permanent legal parent-child relationship.

Intended to protect and care for a child when parents are unable to do so.

Gives a child a permanent family and legal parents.

Does not change the child’s legal parentage.

Changes the child’s legal parentage, with adoptive parents assuming the rights and responsibilities of parents.

May be temporary or continue until the child reaches adulthood, depending on the circumstances.

Permanent and generally cannot be reversed except in very limited circumstances.

Focuses on the child’s care, welfare, and decision-making.

Focuses on creating a lifelong parent-child relationship.

 

Our Promise to You

Family matters are deeply personal, and every situation deserves care, respect, and thoughtful guidance. At Hoh Law Corporation, we are committed to providing clear legal advice, practical solutions, and compassionate support at every stage of your journey.

 

Whether you are planning for your family’s future, navigating a difficult transition, or protecting the interests of your loved ones, we will work closely with you to understand your needs and help you make informed decisions with confidence.

Why Choose Hoh Law Corporation?

  • Our dedicated family law team combines strong legal expertise with a practical and compassionate approach. 
  • We understand that family matters can be emotionally challenging, and we are committed to providing clear guidance and thoughtful solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
  • We focus on resolving matters with care, minimising conflict where possible, preserving important family relationships, and helping our clients move forward with confidence.

Send Us An Enquiry

Thank you for choosing Hoh Law Corporation. For any general enquiries, please fill in the following contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you may reach us at 6553 4800.