THE Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports has proposed a slew of measures to deal with the rising rate of divorce and its impact. These are the key measures:

ADDRESSING DIVORCE

-Minors and divorcees will be required to attend marriage preparation courses before they can obtain a marriage licence.

-Parties in all divorces involving children below 21 years old will be required to attend compulsory counselling and mediation.

-The power of the court will be expanded to make ancillary orders for divorces overseas, such as for the custody of children.

-Parents will be ordered to transfer assets into their kids' Children's Development Accounts.

ENFORCEMENT OF MAINTENANCE ORDERS

-The court can order a banker's guarantee, financial counselling and community service for defaulters. It can report them to credit bureaus, and make remarrying divorcees declare maintenance debts.

-The process will also be streamlined by allowing the claimant to obtain the defaulter's employment details from the Central Provident Fund Board.

FACILITATING MARRIAGE

-Currently, at least one person in a couple applying for a marriage licence in Singapore must reside here for at least 15 days before the date of notice.

-It is proposed that the 15-day requirement be waived as long as both parties are Singapore citizens and/or Singapore permanent residents.

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