Who owns what in a marriage in Singapore?
Singapore has no default marital property regime. Spouses keep their own property during the marriage, and on divorce a court divides the matrimonial assets in a just and equitable way.
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
What applies by default
Each spouse owns what is in their name, and the family home, including a public housing flat, can be owned jointly or by one spouse.
When the marriage ends in divorce
The court divides the matrimonial assets, including the family home, in a just and equitable way, taking account of each spouse's contributions, direct and indirect, and the needs of the family.
A marriage contract
A prenuptial agreement can be made, and a court may take it into account, but it is not bound by it.
What stays your own, and gifts
Assets from before the marriage and gifts and inheritances may be treated differently from assets built up during the marriage, depending on the case.
If one spouse is a foreigner
Rules on public housing flats depend on citizenship and residence. Get local advice if one spouse is a foreigner.
Understand the legal system first
Singapore belongs to the Common law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.
Read the Singapore legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Can a foreigner buy property in Singapore? →
Official sources
Take it further
The family and property rules of a European country in one PDF, with questions for a local lawyer.
Set the property rules before the marriage, in your own terms.
For couples who live together without marrying.
Marriage, divorce, custody and support, step by step.
Divide property and settle the terms in writing.
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TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.
