Child Custody Lawyers

Child Custody, Care & Control and Access in Singapore

In every divorce involving children, the Court’s paramount consideration is always the welfare and best interests of the child. Custody, care and control, and access are the three main areas the Court decides on:

Custody: Refers to the authority to make major decisions about the child’s life — such as education, healthcare, and religion. In Singapore, custody is usually jointly awarded so that both parents continue to share responsibility, unless there are exceptional circumstances (for example, where one parent is proven unfit).

Care and Control: Refers to which parent the child lives with on a day-to-day basis, and who makes decisions about the child’s daily routine, meals, activities, and general welfare. The other parent, who does not have care and control, is granted access rights.

Access: Refers to the time the parent without care and control spends with the child. The Court strongly guards a parent’s right of access, as it is seen as essential to the child’s welfare. In most cases, access will be liberal and meaningful, unless there are issues such as violence or abuse. Even then, the Court may order supervised access to ensure the child maintains a relationship with both parents.

Maintenance of Children

Parents have a legal duty to maintain their children until they reach adulthood (21 years old), regardless of custody arrangements. This duty extends to covering the child’s financial, educational, and medical needs. The Court takes a strict approach to ensuring children are adequately maintained and will consider both parents’ incomes, resources, and the child’s reasonable needs.

Our Approach to Custody & Parenting Matters

At PKWA Law, we recognise that divorce is hardest on the children. Our family lawyers guide parents to focus on the child’s welfare above all else, and we encourage co-operation rather than conflict. We believe that:

• A child benefits from the love and guidance of both parents, even after divorce.
• Parents should shield their children from unnecessary disputes and ensure that the breakdown of marriage does not harm the child’s emotional well-being.
• Parenting arrangements should be practical, sustainable, and child-focused, providing stability while allowing meaningful contact with both parents.

Our lawyers adopt a solution-driven approach — whether through mediation, negotiation, or, when necessary, robust advocacy in Court — always with the child’s best interests as the guiding principle.

Why Choose PKWA Law

With over 30 years of history and more than 100 lawyers and staff, PKWA Law is one of Singapore’s most established family law practices. We have guided countless families through divorce, custody, and parenting disputes with both clarity and compassion.

Our fees are fixed, clear, and transparent from the outset, so you always know your costs upfront with no hidden surprises. We also offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your options before making decisions.

PKWA’s family lawyers are consistently recognised as leading Singapore lawyers by The Straits Times, Benchmark Litigation, Asian Legal Business, Singapore Business Review and Doyle’s Guide. We are a safe and trusted choice for families navigating sensitive legal issues.

Pricing varies

Please get in touch with us for an assessment.