Suluh Mahligai · Our Services
Three ways of working
with families.
Each service is structured around a different stage of need — from an early, exploratory engagement to a comprehensive legal settlement. All are delivered with the same unhurried attention.
← Back to HomeHow We Approach Family Law
A brief account of the methodology that underpins all three services.
Every matter we take on begins with listening. Not the kind of listening that is a polite prelude to a prepared answer, but genuine, open listening to the situation as the client describes it — with its emotional weight, its practical complications, and its history. Only after that do we begin to think about what law can usefully do.
This approach shapes all three of our services. The listening session is not a diagnostic intake — it is the first substantive piece of legal work. The custody application is not a form-filling exercise — it is a carefully prepared argument for the welfare of a child. The family settlement plan is not a contract — it is a map for a changed family to navigate by.
We work under Malaysian civil family law, and we are familiar with how the civil courts in Kuala Lumpur approach matters of maintenance, custody, and property. Where mediation is appropriate, we coordinate with experienced family mediators and ensure that any agreed outcomes are properly translated into binding documentation.
Listen first
Every engagement starts with understanding before advising.
Draft carefully
Every document is reviewed at senior level before it leaves the firm.
Communicate clearly
Plain English, proactive updates, no unexplained delays.
Keep children central
In any matter involving children, their welfare shapes every decision.
Service One · RM 340
Listening & Letter Engagement
A short engagement that combines one private listening session with the drafting of a single careful letter on the client's behalf. The letter may be addressed to a former spouse, an estranged adult child, or another family member. Before composing the letter, the lawyer takes time to understand the client's situation in full — the background, the relationship, what the client hopes the letter will achieve, and what they are willing to offer or concede.
The letter is written in measured, respectful language — firm where firmness is needed, conciliatory where that is appropriate. Many family disagreements soften when such a letter arrives, and many are resolved without any further legal engagement.
What is included:
- One private listening session (60–90 minutes)
- One lawyer-drafted letter on your behalf
- One round of revisions based on your feedback
- Brief written note explaining the approach taken
Process:
Initial contact and appointment scheduling
Listening session — understanding your situation in full
Draft letter prepared and shared for your review
Revisions incorporated, final letter sent as agreed
Service Two · RM 750
Maintenance & Custody Application
Considered legal work for parents seeking both maintenance and custody orders together, presented as a single coherent application under Malaysian civil family law. Addressing both in one application reduces the procedural burden on the client and allows the court to consider the full picture of the children's circumstances at once.
The firm prepares all supporting documents with patient attention to detail, files the application, and represents the client at hearings. Throughout the process, clients receive regular written updates so that they are never left uncertain about where their matter stands. The welfare of the children remains the central concern at every stage.
What is included:
- Full intake and situation assessment
- Preparation of all filing documents
- Court filing of the combined application
- Legal representation at all scheduled hearings
- Regular written updates throughout
Typical timeline:
Intake and document preparation — 2 to 3 weeks
Court filing and first return date — within 4 weeks of filing
Hearing and determination — 3 to 8 months depending on court schedule
Order issued and served — within weeks of determination
Service Three · RM 990
Family Affairs Plan with Mediation
A multi-session engagement combining structured family mediation with formal legal documentation, producing a written family settlement that addresses parenting arrangements, property matters, and longer-term financial arrangements. The firm coordinates with experienced, accredited family mediators and is present throughout the mediation sessions to provide legal context where needed.
Agreed outcomes are translated into clear documents written in plain English. The settlement is designed to be workable in practice — not merely compliant in law. At the client's option, the plan may be reviewed annually to reflect changes in the family's circumstances.
What is included:
- Structured intake and full situation review
- Coordination with accredited family mediators
- Legal presence and guidance during mediation sessions
- Comprehensive written family settlement document
- Plain-English explanatory notes for each party
- Optional annual review of the settlement
Process:
Intake and mediator coordination — 1 to 2 weeks
Mediation sessions (typically 2 to 4) — 4 to 8 weeks
Draft settlement prepared and reviewed — 2 to 3 weeks
Settlement signed and finalised — 1 week
Annual review (at client's option) — from the first anniversary
Choosing the Right Service
A brief guide to help you understand which service suits your situation.
| Feature | Letter RM 340 |
Custody & Maint. RM 750 |
Family Plan RM 990 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening session included | |||
| Court filing and representation | — | — | |
| Mediation coordination | — | — | |
| Written settlement document | — | — | |
| Covers parenting and property | — | Custody only | |
| Annual review option | — | — |
Best for: Letter service
Families where one carefully worded communication might resolve the matter, or where legal correspondence has not yet been tried.
Best for: Custody & Maintenance
Parents who need formal court orders for both maintenance and custody, addressed together in a single, coherent application.
Best for: Family Affairs Plan
Families separating with shared children and property, where a negotiated, comprehensive settlement is preferable to contested litigation.
Standards Across All Services
What every client can rely on, regardless of which service they engage.
Full Confidentiality
Legal professional privilege applies to all communications.
Senior-Level Review
Every document is reviewed by a senior lawyer before dispatch.
Agreed Fees Only
No unexpected charges. Additional work discussed before it begins.
Proactive Updates
Written updates after every substantive development in your matter.
Not sure which service is right for you?
We are glad to discuss your situation briefly before you commit to anything. A short call is often enough to point you in the right direction.
Contact Us