If you are facing separation and divorce in Punggol, safety comes first. Call 999 if you are in danger, or the 24-hour National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) on 1800 777 0000. For everything else, start with MSF’s Family Assist portal and free counselling at a Strengthening Families Programme (FAM) centre.
This is one of the hardest seasons a family can go through. You do not need every answer today; one conversation is enough to begin.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s When You Need Help in Punggol, our practical guides for life’s occasions, big and small. It covers staying safe, free counselling, the co-parenting programme for parents, how civil and Syariah divorces work, the help available in Punggol itself, and what happens with maintenance and your HDB flat.
Quick answer
- In danger: call the Police on 999, or SMS 70999. NAVH on 1800 777 0000 runs 24 hours.
- Someone to talk to: Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) on 1767, or CareText 9151 1767 on WhatsApp; the national mindline on 1771. All run 24 hours.
- Free counselling: any FAM centre, booked through Family Assist. The nearest to Punggol is in Hougang, at Blk 615 Hougang Avenue 8.
- Children under 21: both parents must complete the free Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) before filing for divorce.
- Help in Punggol: ServiceSG Centre One Punggol, 1 Punggol Drive #01-01, offers legal advice by videoconference on Fridays (book first) and accepts maintenance enforcement applications.
- Courts: civil divorces go to the Family Justice Courts at 3 Havelock Square; divorces for Muslim marriages go to the Syariah Court.
Separation and Divorce: What to Do First
Take these one at a time. Most of the early steps are free and can be done from home.
- Make sure you and the children are safe. If anyone is at risk, call 999 or NAVH. Our family violence and protection orders guide explains protection orders.
- Talk to a counsellor. Family Assist says all sessions at FAM centres are free, and you can choose a private individual session. Its online counselling, by live chat or audio call, runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, except public holidays.
- Get legal information early. The Legal Aid Bureau’s community touchpoints list (as at 1 August 2024) includes ServiceSG Centre One Punggol for videoconference legal advice on Fridays, 10am to 4.30pm. Book via LifeSG at go.gov.sg/mlawvc.
- If you have a child under 21, start the CPP. It has two parts: about 1.5 hours of free e-learning on Family Assist, then a free consultation with a counsellor at any FAM centre, as a couple or on your own.
- Check which court applies to you. Civil marriages go to the Family Justice Courts; Muslim marriages go to the Syariah Court.
- Choose a track. If you both agree on the divorce and every arrangement, the simplified track is open to you. If not, the normal track applies.
- Think about the home. HDB says you may keep the flat under different arrangements, with or without children, or sell it on the open market if the minimum occupation period (MOP) has been met.
- Protect the children’s routines. Our two homes, one school plan helps parents keep school life steady.
Where to Go and Who to Call
| Who | Where and contact | Hours | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceSG Centre One Punggol (in Punggol) | 1 Punggol Drive, #01-01, Singapore 828629. A short walk from Punggol MRT (NE17); next to Sam Kee LRT (PW1). Walk in, no appointment needed. | Mon–Sat 9am–6pm; closed Sun and public holidays. Legal advice by videoconference Fri 10am–4.30pm, by booking. | Help with government services, legal advice sessions, and filing maintenance enforcement applications. |
| Punggol Family Service Centre (in Punggol) | Blk 616 Punggol Drive, #01-01, Singapore 820616. Tel 6435 5323. | Call to ask | Family support; legal advice sessions for its own clients. |
| Social Service Office @ Punggol (in Punggol) | Punggol 21 Community Club, 80 Punggol Field, #04-01, Singapore 828815. ComCare Hotline 1800-222-0000 (7am to midnight daily), or MSF’s consolidated hotline 1800-111-2222 (say “ComCare”). | Office hours not listed; call the ComCare Hotline first | Financial help through ComCare. |
| Strengthening Families Programme, Methodist Welfare Services (Hougang) | Blk 615 Hougang Avenue 8, #01-402, Singapore 530615. Tel 6330 1080. | Call, or book through Family Assist | Free counselling and CPP consultations. |
| Sengkang Family Service Centre | 223D Compassvale Walk, #01-673, Singapore 544223. Tel 6312 8100. | Call to ask | Family support close to Punggol. |
| Family Justice Courts | 3 Havelock Square, Singapore 059725. Chinatown MRT Exit D. | Service counters Mon–Thu 9am–1pm and 2–5.30pm; Fri 9am–1pm and 2–5pm. Closed Sat, Sun and public holidays. | Civil divorce, maintenance and protection orders. |
| Syariah Court | 8 Lengkok Bahru, #03-01, Singapore 159052. Tel 6354 8371. | Call to ask | Divorce for Muslim marriages. |
| Family Assist (MSF) | Online; familyassist@msf.gov.sg | Online counselling Mon–Fri 9am–6pm | Information, e-learning, the CPP and counselling bookings. |
Checked October 2026 — confirm on the official page before you go: Family Assist support services, Family Justice Courts, MSF’s list of FAM centres and MSF’s contact page.
MSF’s FAM list also includes Allkin in Ang Mo Kio (6308 4200), Care Corner in Tampines (6258 0020) and PPIS in Chai Chee (6745 5862). The list is undated, so call before you go. For all family service centres around Punggol, see our family service centres guide.
Which Situation Fits You
You are not sure yet
Family Assist says all FAM centre sessions are free, and you can choose a private individual session, so you can go on your own. The portal also has information and e-learning for couples who are still deciding.
You have children under 21
Under the Women’s Charter, all parents with a child below 21 must attend the CPP before filing for divorce. Children under 13 who want to talk to someone can call Tinkle Friend on 1800 2744 788.
You both agree
On the simplified track, you can file at the Service Bureau through eLitigation or use the Divorce eService, which guides you and generates the documents. These include Form 2A, your marriage certificate, your spouse’s consent, both CPP certificates if you have children under 21, and a draft order on the arrangements. The Judiciary says an uncontested hearing is set within four to six weeks and you need not attend. Final Judgment follows after at least three months, or when all arrangements are settled, whichever is later.
You cannot agree
The normal track applies. This is where legal advice matters most. Our legal clinics and legal aid guide explains free and means-tested options.
Your marriage is under Muslim law
Apply at the Syariah Court if you are both Muslims or married under Muslim law. You must register for and attend the Marriage Counselling Programme before filing, plus the Parenting Programme if it applies to you. Register online through the Syariah Court’s SYC Portal.
Maintenance is not being paid
From 1 July 2026, all applications to enforce maintenance orders go through the Maintenance Enforcement Process. Maintenance Enforcement Officers gather financial information, try to reach an agreement and report to the court. You can file directly with the Family Justice Courts or through an authorised agency, which includes ServiceSG Centre One Punggol. A respondent who failed to pay is charged $180 for the officers’ follow-up.
Requirements and Costs
To file in the Family Justice Courts, the marriage must be under civil law, and either spouse must be a Singapore Citizen or have lived here for three continuous years immediately before filing. You must have been married for at least three years, or have the court’s permission. The only ground is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, shown by one of these facts: adultery; unreasonable behaviour; two years’ desertion; three years’ separation with consent, or four without; or mutual agreement that the marriage has broken down.
- CPP and FAM counselling: free.
- Simplified-track court fees: $56 to file, plus $7 for claims about children and $7 for HDB property claims. A Notice of Proceedings is $7 or nothing; an Affidavit of Split Care and Control is $0.70 a page, minimum $7. Service Bureau fees are extra.
- Syariah Court fees: registration of divorce $100; plaintiff’s Originating Summons up to about $87; Memorandum of Defence up to about $42; $12 filing fee per document.
- Legal aid: means-tested; see our legal clinics guide.
Gentle Tips from Those Who Have Been There
- Do the CPP e-learning early. It takes about 1.5 hours, and both parents’ certificates are needed for a simplified-track filing.
- See a counsellor even if your spouse will not. Private individual sessions are available.
- Go to the Family Justice Courts in the morning. For protection-order or maintenance applications, the last application ticket is at 12pm.
- Use One Punggol for maintenance enforcement. It saves a trip to Havelock Square.
- Check your MOP before planning to sell the flat. HDB says an open-market sale needs the MOP to have been met.
- Keep key documents together. Your marriage certificate, its translation if needed, the children’s birth certificates and both CPP certificates will be asked for more than once.
- Look after yourself. Eat, sleep and let a friend carry some of the load. Your children need you steady more than perfect.
If You Need Help Right Now
- Danger to life or safety: Police 999, or SMS 70999.
- Violence or abuse: NAVH 1800 777 0000, 24 hours.
- Feeling overwhelmed or unsafe with your thoughts: SOS 1767 or CareText 9151 1767 (WhatsApp), 24 hours; national mindline 1771 or WhatsApp 6669 1771, 24 hours.
- Women aged 18 and above: AWARE 1800 777 5555.
- Urgent money worries: ComCare Hotline 1800-222-0000 (7am to midnight daily), or MSF’s consolidated hotline 1800-111-2222 (say “ComCare”).
- Children under 13: Tinkle Friend 1800 2744 788.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to go for counselling before a divorce?
Parents with a child under 21 must complete the CPP before filing in the Family Justice Courts. For Muslim marriages, the Syariah Court requires the Marriage Counselling Programme before filing.
How long does a divorce take?
On the simplified track, the uncontested hearing is set within four to six weeks, and Final Judgment follows after at least three months, or when all arrangements are settled, whichever is later. Cases on the normal track can take longer.
Can I get legal advice in Punggol?
Yes. The Legal Aid Bureau’s touchpoint list (as at 1 August 2024) includes videoconference advice sessions at ServiceSG Centre One Punggol on Fridays, by booking. Punggol Family Service Centre and the Social Service Office offer sessions for their own clients.
What happens to our HDB flat?
HDB says you may keep the flat under different arrangements, with or without children, or sell it on the open market once the MOP is met. Check HDB’s page for your situation.
Can we divorce if we married less than three years ago?
Only with the court’s permission. The Family Justice Courts’ requirements page explains this.
Can my former spouse be made to pay maintenance?
If there is a maintenance order that is not being paid, you can apply to enforce it, including through ServiceSG Centre One Punggol. Maintenance Enforcement Officers will look into the case.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- Two homes, one school plan: co-parenting and school routines.
- Family service centres and support services in Punggol
- Free legal clinics and legal aid in Punggol
- Family violence, NAVH and protection orders
- One Punggol and community services
- Official: Family Assist: Co-Parenting Programme · Family Justice Courts: divorce requirements · Syariah Court: before divorce
Taking It One Step at a Time
Separation changes a family’s shape, but it does not have to undo everything you have built. Many parents find that once the hardest conversations are over, a steadier rhythm returns. Reach out early, accept the free help, and give yourself and your children time.
When home life feels a little calmer, steady routines at school can help children too. And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
eduKate Punggol
Small-group English, Mathematics and Science
Primary and Secondary
By appointment · +65 8823 1234
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
