Useful information for single parents

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For those who need to buy a place to stay...

The Public Scheme allows Singapore Citizen families,including widowed or divorced citizens who are at least21 years old and with children under their legal custody,to form a family nucleus for purchasing an HDB flat.
The eligible applicant can buya flat direct from HDB, a resale flat in the open market, or a resale flat under theCPF Housing Grant Scheme.

For purchase of a flat direct from HDB or a resale flatunder the CPF Housing Grant Scheme, the applicant must meet eligibility conditionssuch as non-ownership of private property and a monthly household income notexceeding $8,000. The applicant must also not have acquired or disposed of aprivate residential property within 30 months before the date of application orbetween the date of application and the date of completion of the purchase.The CPF Housing Grant Scheme allows first-timer Citizens families, includingwidowed or divorced persons who are at least 21 years old and with children undertheir legal custody, to obtain a housing grant as financial assistance when they buya resale flat in the open market. Applicants who meet the housing grant eligibilityconditions can make use of the CPF housing grant for the initial downpayment orto reduce the mortgage loan quantum.First-timers are those who are currently not owners of, or have not previously soldsubsidised flats. Eligible first-timer Citizen families can apply for the Family Grantof $30,000. If you are buying a resale flat to live near your parents, you may applyfor the Family Grant of $40,000.


What if I cannot afford to buy a flat?

Under the Public Rental Scheme, families including widowed or divorced personswho are at least 21 years old and with children under their legal custody, with amonthly household income of $1,500 and below can rent a one- or two-room HDBflat at subsidised rates. The scheme seeks to help families who cannot afford toown HDB flats. You must be a Singapore Citizen to apply. At least one other occupiermust be either a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.

 

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Custody

Having custody means that you will have the responsibility of making major decisions in the child's life, such as education, medical treatment and religious upbringing of the child. Either you or your spouse may have sole custody of yourchild. Alternatively, you and your spouse may have joint custody of your child.This means that you and your spouse will have to make joint decisions on the majorissues in your child's life.Although both parents may have joint custody, usually only one parent will have care and control.

Having care and control means that the child will live with you,and you have the responsibility of making the day-to-day decisions that affect the child's life, such as what time he goes to bed at night. Sometimes, care and control of the child may be given to a person who is not the child's parent, such as a grandmother or aunt.Access is when the non-custodial parent (the parent who does not stay with thechildren) gets to see the child.

 

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Custody

Who Can Ask for Custody of Your Child

The Women's Charter defines a 'child' as a child of a marriage who is under 21 years of age.Any parent can ask for the custody and/or the care and control/access of the child. However, there may be circumstances where the Judge may feel it is more appropriate to give the custody and/or the care and control/access of your child to a relative or a children's welfare organisation or to order that custody be shared between both parents.Custody refers to who has legal decision-making authority in the life of a child. The decision-making authority is usually in regard to major life issues such as religion, education, health and activities.Care and control refers to which parent the child lives with on a day-to-day basis.Access refers to the periods during which the parent who does not have care and control of the child is granted time to spend with the child.

When to Apply for Custody

You can apply for the custody and/or the care and control/access of your child at any time during the marriage, the separation or the court proceedings for a divorce.

How to Apply for Custody

You will have to apply to the Family or the High Court for the custody and/or the care and control/access of your child. Your lawyer would be able to advise you on the procedures.

Considerations for Custody

When deciding who to give the custody and/or the care and control/access of your child to, the Judge may also consider your wishes and those of your spouse/ex-spouse and the wishes of your child, (if old enough to express an opinion), but the Court considers the interest of the child as paramount.

What factors does the Court consider when granting the custody of the child?

The Court considers the welfare of the child to be the most important factor in making its decisions on custody, care and control. The relevant factors the Court considers are:

• The role the parent has played in the child’s life
• The stability that the parent can offer the child
• Whether the child’s existing care arrangements can be left as they are
• The child’s age; care and control of a very young child will normally lie with the mother
• Whether there are siblings; the Court tries not to separate siblings as far as possible
• the independent opinion of the child if he is mature enough to express an opinion
• the independent opinion of the parent; this comes second to the welfare of the child

Adultery in itself will not disqualify a parent from getting custody or access to the child.



What Can the Judge Decide

The Judge may, after considering the report of a welfare officer, impose some conditions on the person to whom he grants custody and/or the care and control/access of a child to, such as prohibiting a child from being taken out of Singapore.

 

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Single mother on children's guardianship

Some name the natural father on the child’s birth certificate, whilst some don’t. By not naming the father, the law automatically assumes you as the legal guardian of the child. Though the natural father can apply to have access to the child.However, a DNA report would be necessary as the court would require evidence confirming paternity. If the natural father’s name is on the birth certificate, then an application under the Guardianship of Infants Act can be made to determine issues of guardianship, ie custody, care and control, access and even child maintenance.There are times when the natural father doesn’t take financial responsibility and what do you do then? You can file an application in the family court for interim maintenance for the child. The court will determine the award of maintenance to give.

 

[Christopher Miller]

This is really very useful data