- Bring your marriage certificate, your children's birth certificates and identity documents.
- Gather what financial records you can: income, bank, CPF, investments, property, loans and insurance.
- Prepare a short summary of your marriage, how it broke down and what you hope to achieve.
- Think about the children's arrangements and any agreements already reached with your spouse.
- Write down your questions, including about process, timing, mediation and fees.
Personal documents
These are needed for the divorce application itself, so it helps to have them ready early.
- Your marriage certificate, with a translation if it is not in English
- Your children's birth certificates, with translations where needed
- Your and your spouse's NRIC or passport details
- Any documents showing a change of name or identity number since the marriage
- Any existing court orders, or a prenuptial, postnuptial or separation agreement
Financial documents
Divorce requires full financial disclosure, and early preparation reduces disputes later. You do not need everything for a first meeting, but the more you can bring, the more specific the advice can be.
- Payslips, employment contract and income tax notices
- Bank, CPF and investment statements
- Property documents, including HDB or private property papers and mortgage statements
- Loan, credit card and other debt statements, including any personal guarantees
- Insurance policies
- Details of any business or partnership interests
- A rough list of other assets and your household and children's monthly expenses
A short summary of your marriage
A brief written summary helps the lawyer understand your situation quickly. It does not need to be exhaustive. Useful points include the date of the marriage, which matters for the three-year rule; how the marriage broke down; your current living arrangements; whether you have told your spouse you want a divorce; and whether your spouse is likely to agree or contest it.
If you have children, note their names, ages, schools and who usually looks after them, and your thoughts on where they should live, how time should be shared and how their costs will be met. Note any agreements you and your spouse have already reached on the children, the home or money.
Questions to ask
The meeting is also your chance to judge whether the lawyer is right for you. Questions you might ask include:
- What process and timeline should I expect in my case?
- Is my divorce likely to be uncontested or contested?
- Will I need to attend mediation, counselling or the Co-Parenting Programme?
- How are fees charged, and what is a realistic estimate?
- Who will handle my matter, and how will we communicate?
- What else do you need from me?
Things to be careful about in the meantime
Early decisions can affect the outcome later. Avoid large withdrawals or transfers, selling shared assets or taking on unusual debts without advice. Keep messages to your spouse calm, as written communications can become evidence. Consider changing passwords on your phone, email and financial accounts.
If you or your children feel unsafe, your safety comes first. Protection orders are available, and in an emergency you should call the police.
Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, one lawyer cannot act for both of you, because your interests may differ. Each of you is free to take independent advice.
This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
All divorce guides
