Welcome to High Street Chambers, your trusted guide through the complexities of child custody matters in Singapore. Navigating the legal aspects of family separation is challenging, and we aim to support you with clear, compassionate, and expert legal advice.

Definition of a Child in Singapore Law

Under the Women's Charter, a "child of the marriage" refers to a biological or adopted child who was part of the family and resided with both parents. Anyone under the age of 21 falls under this definition.

Legal Framework Governing Child Custody

The Guardianship of Infants Act, supplemented by the Administration of Muslim Law Act and the Women's Charter, regulates child custody disputes in Singapore. These laws apply to all Singaporeans, including Muslims.

Understanding Child Custody

Child custody involves granting legal authority to a parent or parents regarding significant decisions in a child’s life. These decisions affect areas like education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and overall welfare. Singaporean law prioritises the child's best interests in these decisions.

At High Street Chambers, we approach each case with a focus on the child’s welfare. Our goal is to provide guidance that respects the emotional dynamics of your family while upholding the child’s best interests.

Explanation of Care & Control

Care and control is a facet of child custody that deals with the day-to-day upbringing of the child. The parent granted care and control is responsible for the child's daily needs, routine activities, schooling, and emotional support.

Our team is dedicated to helping you understand this aspect of child custody, ensuring stability and nurturing for your child post-divorce.

Difference Between Child Custody & Care and Control

Although they sound very similar, there are differences between child custody and care and control, which can be confusing. It's crucial to grasp the differences between these two concepts to ensure the best interests of your child are met.

Child Custody

Child custody refers to the legal authority to make significant decisions in a child's life. These decisions impact critical areas such as:

Education
Healthcare
Religious upbringing

Having custody means having a say in these key aspects of your child's life.

Care and Control

Care and control, on the other hand, is about the day-to-day upbringing of the child. The parent with care and control makes decisions about the child’s:

Daily activities
Routine needs
Emotional support

This role focuses on the immediate well-being of the child.

Key Differences

Understanding the distinction helps in making informed decisions during legal proceedings. While custody involves long-term decision-making, care and control are about everyday nurturing.

Types of Child Custody Orders

The court can grant different types of child custody orders. Each type caters to different family dynamics and the child's best interests.

1. Sole Custody

In sole custody, one parent makes all major decisions. This order is less common and typically arises in high-conflict situations.

2. Joint Custody

Joint custody is more prevalent. Here, both parents share decision-making responsibilities. It fosters co-parenting, allowing the child to benefit from both parents' involvement.

3. Hybrid Custody

A hybrid order combines elements of both sole and joint custody. One parent has custody but must consult the other on major decisions.

4. Split Custody

Rarely used, split custody involves dividing the custody of siblings between parents. It's generally not preferred as it separates siblings.

Official Data Related to Child Custody in Singapore

Statistics from the Ministry of Social and Family Development in 2016 indicated that joint custody was granted in approximately 74.3% of divorce cases. Sole custody was awarded to the mother in less than 20% of cases and to the father in about 4.8% of instances.

Determining Types of Custody Orders

The court prioritises the welfare of the children when deciding on custody orders, considering factors such as the child's needs and wishes, parent-child relationships, and the ability to provide a stable environment.

At High Street Chambers, we will guide you through understanding these factors, ensuring the court's decisions align with your child's best interests.

Pricing Structure for Consultation at High Street Chambers

At High Street Chambers, we offer a transparent and fair pricing policy for our child custody services. Our goal is to provide quality legal assistance while considering your financial circumstances.

Initial Consultation: We offer a fixed fee for the initial consultation where we assess your case and provide preliminary advice.

Initial Consultation Price: up to 20 minutes free; thereafter $650 for half an hour

Case Handling Fees: Fees for handling your case vary depending on complexity and duration. We provide a clear breakdown before proceeding.

Case Handling Fees: starts from $5,500

Choose High Street Chambers for Legal Support

Selecting the right legal partner is crucial in child custody matters. At High Street Chambers, we offer professional, empathetic, and tailored advice. Contact us to discuss your situation or for detailed information regarding your case.

Phone: +65 9740 7122
Email: mail@highstchambers.com
Address: 111 North Bridge Road, #06-12 Peninsula Plaza, Singapore 179098
Opening Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (Mon-Fri)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kids who turn ten years old have an opportunity to express their choices. The court, however, always has the last say and always puts the best interests of the kid first.
Generally, both parents are entitled to access unless the court finds significant reasons against it, such as safety concerns.
Custody orders apply until the child turns 21 unless the court specifies otherwise.
Yes, if circumstances change significantly, either parent can apply to the court for modification.
Adultery alone does not usually affect custody decisions. The child's welfare is the main concern.
Violating a custody order can lead to legal consequences. It's vital to seek legal advice in such situations.

Child Custody in Singapore