Calling it quits with someone you vowed to spend your life with, and coming to terms with everything from the children and home to money matters is incredibly painful. To boot, filing for divorce in Singapore, away from the country you got married in, can also make things more complicated with different laws coming into play. But it doesn’t have to be as exasperating as it sounds, because we know just the right people that can help cut through all the legal jargon and make it less stressful. A specialist in family law services in Australasia and the rest of the world, Lander & Rogers has significant experience when it comes to helping separated expat couples in Singapore, providing them with legal assistance around properties, alimony, child support, and even relocation. Below, we ask the folks in suits to share some useful advice on how to get your ducks in a row and make sensible decisions without tearing your hair out:
Get the right lawyer
Don’t just take a random pick from the litter – you have a lot going on and you need to place your trust in someone who can steer you through the emotional process as seamlessly as possible. In order to properly assess your situation and sort out the most practical and beneficial solution for your circumstances, you will need to engage the help of lawyers who are experienced in each of the relevant judicial systems involved. That said, it’s wise to do a little research on the various marital laws of different countries before your legal consultation, so you won’t be going in blind.
Choose your state
The laws of each country are, of course, different, and so the outcomes in terms of property settlement and arrangements for your children will vary. Grill your lawyer all about how the laws of different countries will affect your marriage separation and main concerns (whether you have children, pets, homes in different countries, etc). Your lawyer will help you to understand the factors at play and will offer an insight into the legal system that is likely to give you the best results for your situation. The next step will be for you and your lawyer to make sure that the negotiation or litigation will take place in your preferred country.
An example?
Say, you’re an Australian and your partner is Singaporean. You both live in Singapore, and share properties in Singapore, Australia and the UK. In this case, the law in all three countries may apply, and your lawyer should look into how these legal jurisdictions affect your priorities and the best way to challenge/defend them to get you the most desired outcome. If you’re going through a separation and feel uneasy about the next steps, arming yourself with as much information as possible is the best step forward at this point. Make the most of a free consultation with a specialised expat law firm like Lander & Rogers and get as much personalised advice as you need. Visit their website if you’d like to know more. There’s no obligation to move forward, but this independent Australian law firm has dealt with many situations like yours and can give you some sensible advice to get you started.
About Lander & Rogers
Lander & Rogers is an independent Australian commercial law firm with bespoke and high quality offerings in a variety of areas. They are a leading provider of family law services in Australasia and internationally. Their friendly team of family lawyers includes Accredited Specialists, qualified mediators and collaborative lawyers. The whole legal team has significant expertise in all aspects of family, financial, property and other related matters involving married and de facto couples, including same-sex couples. Lander & Rogers believes that legal services are much more than just the law – they are about great people and exceptional client service. They are renowned in Australia for their down-to-earth and friendly workplace culture, which is exactly what you need when you’re going through an extremely stressful and complicated time.
To learn more, visit their website.
This article is sponsored by Lander & Rogers.