Filing for divorce in Singapore can be a daunting process, but it is possible to do it without the help of a lawyer. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to file for divorce without a lawyer in Singapore.
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Documents
The first step in filing for divorce is to gather the necessary documents. These documents include:
- Original marriage certificate
- Copy of your identity card (NRIC or FIN)
- Proof of income
- Proof of assets and liabilities
- Grounds for divorce
Step 2: File the Divorce Petition
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you can file the divorce petition with the Family Justice Courts. The divorce petition is a legal document that sets out the grounds for divorce and the relief that you are seeking (such as a divorce order, child custody, and maintenance).
The divorce petition must be filed in person at the Family Justice Courts. You can download the divorce petition form from the Supreme Court of Singapore website.
Step 3: Serve the Divorce Petition
Once you have filed the divorce petition, you must serve it on your spouse. Service of the divorce petition can be done by personal service (handing the divorce petition to your spouse in person) or by substituted service (leaving the divorce petition at your spouse’s last known address or place of business).
Step 4: File the Acknowledgment of Service
Once your spouse has been served with the divorce petition, they must file an acknowledgment of service with the Family Justice Courts. The acknowledgment of service is a legal document that confirms that your spouse has received the divorce petition.
Step 5: Attend the Case Conference
After the acknowledgment of service has been filed, the Family Justice Courts will schedule a case conference. The case conference is a meeting between you, your spouse, and a judge. At the case conference, the judge will discuss the issues in your case and issue directions on how to proceed.
Step 6: File the Consent Order
If you and your spouse reach an agreement on all of the issues in your case, you can file a consent order with the Family Justice Courts. The consent order is a legal document that sets out the terms of your divorce.
The consent order must be signed by both you and your spouse and must be approved by the judge.
Step 7: Obtain the Divorce Order
Once the consent order has been approved by the judge, the Family Justice Courts will issue a divorce order. The divorce order is a legal document that正式 dissolves your marriage.