Divorce in Malaysia? You are not alone.
Clear guides to civil divorce, custody and money in Malaysia. Request independent lawyer contact when considering representation.
This site covers only non-Muslim (civil) marriages under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.- Based on the LRA 1976
- English, Malay and Chinese
- Updated November 2026
- Free to read, no sign-up
Start here
Where would you like to start?
Pick the door that fits where you are today. You can switch any time.
Services
Joint or contested divorce, custody, maintenance and property.
Your situation
For fathers, mothers, homemakers, foreign spouses and hard cases.
Guides & FAQ
Plain answers on process, cost, timing and your rights.
Find your area
Which court hears your case and what to expect where you live.
Tools
Work out cost, maintenance and next steps before you commit.
Glossary
Legal words explained in everyday English.
The process
How civil divorce works in Malaysia
Most civil divorces follow these five steps. Tap a step to read more.
- 1
Attend JPN conciliation
Before a single petition, you usually must try conciliation at a JPN marriage tribunal. A joint petition skips this step.
- 2
File the petition
File a joint or single petition at the High Court under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.
- 3
Settle the arrangements
Custody, maintenance and property are settled, either by agreement or by the court at a hearing.
- 4
Attend the hearing
The court checks the terms are fair and that the children are provided for.
- 5
Decree nisi to absolute
The court grants a decree nisi. After three months, you can apply to make it final (decree absolute).
Popular
Most-read guides
The guides readers open first.
A Father's Guide to Divorce in Malaysia
What a father should know about custody, access, maintenance and the mistakes to avoid.
A Mother's Guide to Divorce in Malaysia
Your rights on custody and maintenance, and the steps that protect your children.
How to Stay Safe When Divorcing an Abusive Spouse
Protection orders, safety planning, and how abuse affects custody and property.
Divorce in Malaysia as a Foreign Spouse
Whether a Malaysian court can hear your divorce, and what happens to overseas assets and children.
Your Divorce Rights as a Homemaker in Malaysia
What a homemaker can claim on divorce: maintenance, a share of assets and credit for years at home.
What If Your Spouse Refuses to Divorce?
How you can still get a divorce in Malaysia when your spouse will not agree.
Free tools
Work it out first
Get a rough picture before you talk to anyone. Your answers can be saved on this device if you choose.
Divorce Cost Factors Checklist Malaysia
See which factors affect what a divorce in Malaysia may cost: joint or contested, children, property. A factors checklist, not a price quote.
Child Maintenance Factors Guide Malaysia
See what a Malaysian court looks at for child maintenance: the child's needs, what each parent can afford, education and when payments end. No amount is calculated.
Which Court Handles My Divorce in Malaysia?
Find which High Court hears your civil divorce in Malaysia, based on where you live, and check the domicile rule you must meet before you can file.
Divorce Document Checklist Malaysia
Checklist of documents to file for divorce in Malaysia: marriage certificate, MyKad, children's birth certificates, financial records and special papers.
Quick answers
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask first.
What law covers civil divorce in Malaysia?
How long does a divorce take in Malaysia?
Can I file for divorce if my marriage is less than two years old?
Do I need to attend JPN conciliation?
What is the difference between decree nisi and decree absolute?
About this site
How this site is written
This is an independent information site, not a law firm. Here is how the pages are written and checked.
Looking to Engage a Divorce Lawyer?
Request contact from an independent lawyer. You decide whether to engage them.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.