Thoughtful guidance through difficult family matters

Civil divorces in Malaysia are governed by the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 and are handled in the High Court. They apply to non-Muslim marriages. Syariah divorces are handled separately through the Syariah Court system and apply to Muslim marriages. Amanah Legal handles civil family law matters only.

A mutual divorce petition generally takes between four and nine months from filing to the absolute decree, depending on court scheduling. Contested matters vary more widely — anywhere from several months to over a year depending on the complexity of issues involved and whether mediation is attempted. We provide realistic timeframes specific to your circumstances during the initial consultation.

Yes. Interim orders for child custody, access, and maintenance can be applied for during proceedings. Courts consider the child's welfare as the paramount consideration. We can advise whether an interim application is appropriate in your particular situation.

The courts have discretion in dividing matrimonial assets and will consider factors such as direct financial contributions, indirect contributions (homemaking, childcare), the needs of any children, and the length of the marriage. There is no fixed formula. Our team helps clients understand what a fair arrangement might look like based on their specific circumstances.

There is no requirement to bring any documents to the first meeting. However, if you have them available, your marriage certificate, any written agreements between you and your spouse, and a brief note of key dates or events can be helpful starting points. We guide you on what to gather after the consultation.

Yes. Legal professional privilege applies to all communications between you and our practitioners. Information you share is not disclosed to any third party without your consent, except where required by law.