Child Custody Lawyer Services in Singapore

When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important and emotionally charged issues is the future of their children. At JCP Law, we are committed to helping you resolve matters of child custody, care and control, and access with compassion, professionalism, and a focus on your child’s best interests.

Understanding Custody, Care & Control, and Access

In Singapore, child-related arrangements are broken down into three main components:

Custody

  • Refers to the authority to make major decisions in the child’s life, such as education, religion, and healthcare.
  • The court usually grants joint custody, encouraging both parents to remain involved in important decisions.

Care and Control

  • Refers to which parent the child will live with on a day-to-day basis.
  • The parent awarded care and control is responsible for daily caregiving.

Access

  • Refers to the time the parent who does not have care and control will get to spend with the child.
  • Access may be unsupervised, supervised, or even denied in certain cases, depending on the child’s welfare.

Types of Custody Arrangements

  • Sole Custody: One parent has exclusive decision-making authority.
  • Joint Custody: Both parents share responsibility for major decisions.
  • Split Care and Control: Each parent has care and control of one or more children (rare and only when suitable).
  • Shared Care and Control: Both parents have the children with them for substantial periods (requires high cooperation).

How JCP Law Can Help

Our experienced family lawyers will support you through every step of the process, including:

  • Advising on your legal rights and options
  • Negotiating custody and access arrangements with your spouse or their lawyer
  • Representing you in mediation or family court proceedings
  • Prioritising the best interests of your child while protecting your parental rights
  • Helping you modify existing custody orders if circumstances change

Why Choose JCP Law?

  • Client-Centered Approach: We listen, advise, and act with your child’s welfare in mind.
  • Experienced Legal Team: Skilled in both amicable settlements and contentious litigation.
  • Transparent Fees: Clear pricing and no hidden costs.
  • Tailored Solutions: Every family is different—so is our legal strategy.
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between custody and care & control?

Child custody gives the parent(s) authority to make important decisions for their child. The important decisions include aspects such as education, religion, and health conditions. It can be granted to one or both parents.

Care and control is granted to only one parent, and this parent will take control of all the daily matters of the child, but may still need to agree with their ex on other important matters such as education, religion etc.

What are the different types of child custody?

There are 4 types of child custody:

  1. Sole custody order – one parent is granted custody and able to make all important decisions for the child alone.
  2. Joint custody order – both parents are granted the authority to make important decisions for the child.
  3. Hybrid order – One parent is granted with custody, but they shall discuss with the non-custodial parent any matters regarding the child’s welfare.
  4. Split custody order – this is rare, but the courts grant the custody of one or more siblings to one parent, whereas custody of the other sibling(s) is granted to another parent.

In general, the Singapore courts tend to grant more ‘joint custody orders’ than any other type.

Can a father get custody of his child?

The care and control order is normally given to the mothers in Singapore. The courts rarely grant a full care and control order to the fathers unless:

  • the consent is obtained from the mother; or
  • the child is at an age where they are capable of expressing clearly to the court regarding their wishes; or
  • the mother is deemed abusive and/or neglectful of their child.

How do courts usually determine custody?

The Singapore courts apply a standard called the “welfare principle”. It depends on the best interests of the child. This standard is not only about financial or physical comfort, but the courts will also look into the child’s moral, religious and physical welfare as well as the child’s affection to the parent.

The courts may ask the social services or counselor to assess the child and parent and suggest a type of custody order which is suitable to them. The courts usually ask for a Social Welfare Report prepared by officers from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The officers, in preparing the report, would observe the parents’ interaction with the child. This report is confidential, it is for the judges perusal only and it shall not be revealed to the parents and/or child.

The list below shows the non-exhaustive factors that the courts may consider in deciding the type of custody order:

  • The main caregiver of the child during his/her formative years
  • The present living arrangements
  • The child’s wishes
  • The parent’s wishes
  • The child’s age
  • The parents’ financial capability
  • Presence of family support

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Get in touch

Visit us:

Raffles Place

6 Battery Road, #11-01A,
Singapore, 049909
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Appointment hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm

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