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A Custody Agreement is a legally binding document that spells out how divorced or separated parents in Singapore will share responsibility for their children. It covers key decisions about where the child lives, visiting schedules, and who makes important choices about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.

Under Singapore's Women's Charter and Family Justice Courts framework, these agreements become part of the divorce order and can be enforced by law. Parents can create their own arrangement through mediation, or the court will establish one based on the child's best interests, considering factors like the child's age, family relationships, and each parent's ability to provide care.

Parents need a Custody Agreement when separating or divorcing in Singapore to establish clear rules for their children's care. The ideal time to create this agreement is during divorce proceedings or when starting mediation, before conflicts escalate. Getting these details in writing helps prevent future disputes and provides stability for the children.

The agreement becomes especially important when parents disagree about major decisions, plan to live far apart, or have complex scheduling needs. Filing it through Singapore's Family Justice Courts makes it legally binding and enforceable. Parents with existing informal arrangements benefit from formalizing them through a proper Custody Agreement to protect their rights and responsibilities.

• Shared Custody Agreement: Both parents share major decisions and physical care, with detailed schedules for time-sharing
• Co Parenting Agreement: Focuses on day-to-day parenting responsibilities and communication methods between parents
• Temporary Custody Agreement: Short-term arrangement during divorce proceedings or separation period
• Custody Agreement Without Court: Private arrangement between cooperating parents, though may lack formal enforcement power
• Temporary Custody Agreement Without Court: Informal short-term arrangement for immediate care needs before legal proceedings

• Parents: Primary parties who negotiate, agree to, and must follow the Custody Agreement's terms for their children's care and upbringing
• Family Lawyers: Draft and review agreements, ensure legal compliance, and represent parents during negotiations
• Mediators: Help parents reach mutually acceptable terms and draft agreements outside court
• Family Justice Courts: Review, approve, and enforce custody agreements as part of divorce proceedings
• Social Workers: Provide input on children's welfare and help assess living arrangements
• Child Representatives: Appointed by courts in complex cases to represent children's interests during agreement formation

• Basic Information: Gather full names, addresses, and contact details of both parents and children
• Living Arrangements: Map out physical custody schedule, including regular weekdays, weekends, and holidays
• Decision Rights: List major decisions requiring joint agreement (education, healthcare, religion)
• Financial Details: Document child support arrangements, shared expenses, and payment schedules
• Communication Plan: Specify how parents will share information and handle schedule changes
• Special Needs: Note any medical conditions, dietary requirements, or cultural considerations
• Documentation: Collect relevant school records, medical information, and existing court orders

• Identification Details: Full names, addresses, and relationships of all parties, including children
• Care and Control: Specific arrangements for daily care, residence, and physical custody schedule
• Legal Custody Terms: Rights and responsibilities for major decisions about education, healthcare, religion
• Access Schedule: Detailed visitation timetable including holidays, special occasions, and school breaks
• Financial Provisions: Child support amounts, payment schedule, and shared expense arrangements
• Dispute Resolution: Process for handling disagreements and modifications to the agreement
• Governing Law: Statement confirming Singapore jurisdiction and compliance with Women's Charter
• Signature Block: Date, signatures of both parents, and witness attestation

A Custody Agreement differs significantly from an Access Agreement in Singapore's family law context. While both deal with rights and permissions, their scope and application are quite different.

• Primary Purpose: Custody Agreements establish comprehensive parental rights and responsibilities, while Access Agreements focus solely on visitation schedules and contact rights
• Legal Scope: Custody Agreements cover decision-making authority, living arrangements, and financial obligations; Access Agreements only address when and how a parent can spend time with their child
• Enforcement Power: Custody Agreements are typically part of divorce orders and fully enforceable by courts; Access Agreements may be more limited in enforcement scope
• Modification Process: Custody Agreements require court approval for major changes; Access Agreements can often be adjusted more informally between cooperative parents