Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme

What is the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme?

The Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (“CCP”) is a compulsory programme for all parents with children below 21 years old to attend, before filing for divorce.

Do I have to pay to attend this CPP?

No, this programme is free of charge. 

Will this CPP take up a lot of my time?

There are 2 parts to the CPP programme. 

The first part is CPP e-learning and you can access this with your home computer using your Singpass on the Family Assist portal of the Ministry of Social and Family Development.  It takes about 1.5 hours to complete this e-learning.

The second part is the in-person consultation (you can choose to go alone or with your spouse) with a counsellor at Family Service Centres (FAM@FSCs) providing this programme.  Upon completion of the CPP e-learning, you will be directed to an online booking platform to select a suitable FSC and suitable timeslot for the in-person consultation.  The consultation may range from 1 to 3 sessions with a counsellor.

Upon completion of the required CPP consultation session(s), a Certificate of Completion will be issued to you.  You will need to hand over this Certificate of Completion to your lawyer filing the divorce for you.  The CPP certificate is valid for 2 years and if you do not file a divorce within the 2 year period, you will need to apply for another CPP programme if you wish to file for divorce in future.

Will my spouse know that I attended the CPP?

No, If you do not want to involve your spouse in this programme, you may do the CPP programme alone and keep it private.

Why is the Mandatory Co-Parenting programme necessary?

Co-parenting refers to the way in which parents share responsibilities in raising their children.  Even though divorce may be over, both parents still have the duty of parenting their children until they reach adulthood. 

The study conducted in 2020 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development reveal that cooperative co-parenting style is associated with positive outcomes for children such as less child behavioural and less emotional problems as compared with less cooperative co-parenting styles.

What is the aim of Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme?

The Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme seeks to better protect children affected by their parents’ divorce.  It aims to guide parents in considering living arrangements, finances and housing after the divorce, and to increase parents’ awareness on the impact of divorce on their children.

Can I skip the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme?

If you are the applicant who wants to start the divorce, and you have child/children under 21, you will not be able to file the divorce if you do not attend the programme.  This programme is compulsory even if you and your spouse agree to all the terms of the divorce.

If you are the applicant’s spouse and you do not attend the consultation, you will not be able to make a cross-application during the divorce.

Can I get a lawyer to attend the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme on my behalf?

No, you must personally attend the CPP on your own.

Are you looking for a divorce lawyer?

Looking for a trusted divorce lawyer in Singapore? Do contact us and let us know how we can help you.