Top Family Lawyers in Singapore

What is family law

Divorce cases, child custody, adoptions and personal protection orders – these are some cases covered under the family law. Other matters covered under family law also include inheritance laws, wills and insurance claims. All family related disputes or legal cases are handled by the Family Justice Courts of Singapore (FJC). 

There are two main types of family laws in Singapore – Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) for Muslims and Women’s Charter for non-Muslims. Depending on which law you were married under, the case will be governed by the relevant law.

Top family lawyers in Singapore

Family lawsuits and legal cases can be long and cumbersome. Hence it is important to search for a competent lawyer to take you through every step of the process and achieve the best outcome. Here are some of the top family lawyers in Singapore with extensive years of experience in family law:

What does a family lawyer do

Family lawyers specialise in dealing with legal matters arising between family members. They are responsible for handling and overseeing family affairs under the family law. Besides representing clients in family court proceedings and negotiation sessions, they also provide expert legal advice and assist in drafting important legal documents.

When do you need a family lawyer

Dealing with legal disputes can be stressful. This can be terribly pressurizing especially when it happens between family members. Family lawyers are equipped with the expertise and in depth knowledge of the law. As they are familiar with the process, they can provide the necessary support to push things along more efficiently.

There are various types of situations that will require a lawyer’s help. Here are some cases where you may need to hire a family lawyer:

Divorce

Divorce applications mainly consist of two main phases and it can be a tedious process. First is dissolution of the marriage, whereby parties seeking the divorce have to establish the grounds for divorce. The next step involves ancillary matters such as custody and division of matrimonial assets. 

Family lawyers can offer unbiased advice to help you navigate through the process. They can also negotiate the terms with the other party to reach a favourable and fair settlement. This can help you save time and money.

Mental capacity

Under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), a person is considered mentally incapacitated when they are unable to make decisions due to impairment of the mind or brain. You can appoint another individual to make decisions on your behalf by getting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). In case you lose mental capacity in the future, the appointed individual will be authorised to make decisions regarding matters such as your welfare, healthcare, property or finances. 

If you want to ensure that your legal matters are well taken care of in the event of such cases, you should approach a family lawyer. They will be able to help with the LPA setup and application process. 

Wills and inheritance

A will is a legal document that spells out how you would like your assets or estate to be managed or distributed after you have passed on. While you write your will, you will be able to appoint a specific person as an executor. The executor will be responsible for administering the deceased’s assets based on the will. This helps to protect your family and minimizes chances of family conflicts that may arise due to splitting of your properties.

It is advisable to engage a family lawyer to assist you in drafting out a will that complies with the proper legal requirements. This can help your family members save a great deal of trouble having to deal with complications and prevents the possibility of your will being invalidated.

Child custody

When a married couple undergo divorce, the law of custody determines which parent gains authority to care for the child. Often there are several considerations when determining the type of custody order. There are also couples who may want to opt for adoption and often the legal paperwork may take a lot of time deciphering. 

In the event of a divorce, family lawyers can help to draft or amend child custody agreements. For couples looking to adopt a child, family lawyers also can help with the legal proceedings and offer guidance for the procedures. 

Things to take note of before hiring a family lawyer

Handling legal cases is no easy feat. Hence it is helpful to engage a family lawyer who can give you advice through the legal processes and ensure your documents are legally enforceable. Before engaging a family lawyer, here are some considerations to take note of: 

Lawyer and law firm’s experience in family law

Lawyers and law firms often have various areas of practice. It is recommended to find a family lawyer who has prior knowledge and experience dealing with the court proceedings and drafting of legal documents. This can increase your chances of winning the case and achieving your desired outcome.

Comfort level with family lawyer

Family legal matters often involve very personal subjects such as finances and children. Lawyers representing you in such cases will often need to be privy of such details in order to handle your case in a manner that will benefit you. Hence it is important to hire a family lawyer that you feel comfortable with. 

Many firms offer free initial consultation sessions for first time clients. While they will not provide legal guidance during these sessions, it provides you an opportunity to meet the lawyer before deciding to engage their services.

Costs of services

Depending on the firm and the services required, family lawyers may charge by the hour or at a flat rate. Some other factors to consider include the complexity of the issue, billing rates of staff involved in the case and expenses incurred during the legal case. Hiring lawyers is never a cheap affair and these fees can build up fairly quickly. It is recommended to discuss the legal fees with your lawyer up front to avoid incurring additional costs. 

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