Marriages are the basis of families and our society. However, the number of marriages that end in a divorce or annulment is on the rise, according to the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS).
Based on the official statistics on Marriage and Divorces compiled by DOS, there were 7,614, successful marital dissolutions in 2016. This was a 1.2 percent increase from the previous year, which saw 7,522 divorces. In 2017, the reported figures were 7,578.
So, what are the common reasons for divorce in Singapore? Without further ado, let’s check them out.
Adultery
Cheating on a spouse is, of course, the most obvious ground for divorce. If you find it intolerable to live with your partner after they’ve committed adultery, you can opt for an amicable divorce. If deciding to divorce amicably isn’t working for you, then the best course of action is to proceed to court.
You’ll, however, need to gather enough evidence that proves infidelity, since your spouse is unlikely to admit to it. And the holding of evidence yourself can prove to be another challenging task.
Most people often resort to seeking the services of a Private Investigator (PI), but the cost can be high that you’ll end up paying more than the cost for the divorce itself. Working with a reputable lawyer can help you identify other alternative divorce grounds, like unreasonable behaviour.
Marrying at a young age
Couples that tie the knot at a very young age face a greater risk of getting divorced, especially in the early years of their marriage. According to the recent research findings compiled by the Ministry Of Social and Family Development (MSF), the divorce rate for married couples aged 20 to 24 is twice that of those aged at least 25.
Well, it’s because teenage couples usually tend to be less financially stable and also lack emotional tenacity. During the rosy stages of their love, they tend to ignore the alarm bells and discover a few years later that they don’t have the resources necessary to make a marriage work.
Domestic violence
Many marriages have ended in a divorce due to domestic violence. It’s not only physical harassment that is considered but also verbal abuse. A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is granted to domestically abused spouses, preventing the abuser from using more violence against the applicant.
If the abuser breaches the PPO, they will be faced with a heavy fine or imprisonment or both in some cases.
When presenting evidence, you stand a better chance of convincing the judge you are in an abusive relationship when your evidence includes the following details:
- Medical reports and dated pictures of injuries suffered due to the abuse
- Police reports for when you made contact with the police
- Testimony from you or your witnesses
Lack of intimacy
Lack of physical or emotional intimacy between couples is one of the common reasons that contribute to divorce in Singapore. When there’s deprivation of sex or romance fades, a marriage can be less exciting as before.
While children can give couples a reason to stay together, not making an effort to keep that romantic spark alive can spell the start of the end of your marriage.
Communication problems and too much quarrel
A strong marriage is built on good communication. Lack of communication or using unhealthy methods, such as yelling and making offensive statements to express yourself can bring your marriage to a standstill.
It is hurtful when you no longer have meaningful conversations with your spouse, which often than not lead to lots of arguments without resolutions.
While disagreements are common with marriages, always failing to see or agree with your partner’s point of view can make them feel unappreciated.
Financial issues
Couples are more likely to face a lot of stress and pressure that result in serious quarrels and fights when they constantly run short of finances.
Besides the lack of finances, financial disagreements on how to spend income are also the building block for conflict that wrecks a family apart.
For instance, conflict is bound to rise if a spender marries a saver. Such a couple is likely to face issues with each other in regards to financial planning and excessive expenditure. If this goes on for a long time, they may choose to part ways.
In marriage, there are up and downs. But sometimes you may not be able to overcome your challenges as a couple, and the only logical solution is to seek a court divorce. Well, experienced divorce lawyers at Singapore Divorce Lawyer can help streamline the process for you.
We’re here for you
When you contact our matrimonial law team, we will provide you with a consultation, tailored to your specific circumstances and goals in mind.
