Peh Soh Kiat v Teo Wee Eng: Application for Increase in Child Maintenance
In 2003, the High Court of Singapore heard an application by Peh Soh Kiat against her ex-husband, Teo Wee Eng, for an increase in the maintenance payments for their two daughters. The court, presided over by Justice Choo Han Teck, dismissed the application, finding that both parties were financially stretched and that the current maintenance amount was adequate, and the application was made prematurely.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Application for an increase in the maintenance should be dismissed.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Application for an increase in child maintenance was dismissed. The court considered the financial circumstances of both parents and the needs of the children.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peh Soh Kiat (mw) | Petitioner | Individual | Application Dismissed | Dismissed | |
| Teo Wee Eng | Respondent | Individual | Application Dismissed | Won |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Serene Chan Poh Choo | Serene Chan & Co |
| Suppiah Thangaveloo | Thanga & Co |
4. Facts
- The petitioner applied for an increase in maintenance for her two daughters from $500 each to $1,000 each.
- The couple was divorced in 1995, and a consent order was reached regarding ancillary matters.
- The petitioner took the HDB flat and custody of the daughters, then aged 10 and 12.
- The respondent agreed to pay $1,000 for the daughters' maintenance.
- The petitioner's income is $4,000, comprising a $2,000 gross salary and $2,000 from rental income.
- The respondent's salary as a coffeeshop supervisor is about $1,200, but he also receives $5,600 from his share of rental income from a house.
- The younger daughter has not qualified for a place in a tertiary institution.
5. Formal Citations
- Peh Soh Kiat (mw) v Teo Wee Eng, Div P 3089/1993, SIC 601351/2002, 601589/2002, [2003] SGHC 94
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Couple divorced | |
| Last valuation of Aura Park flat | |
| Decision Date | |
| Lease of Trevose Crescent house expires |
7. Legal Issues
- Increase in Maintenance of Children
- Outcome: The court dismissed the application for an increase in maintenance.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Increase in maintenance payments
9. Cause of Actions
- No cause of actions
10. Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Support
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Maintenance
- Divorce
- Ancillary matters
- HDB flat
- Tertiary education
15.2 Keywords
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Maintenance
- Singapore
- High Court
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | 95 |
| Divorce | 90 |
| Family Law | 90 |
| Child Support | 90 |
| Matrimonial Assets | 70 |
| Division of Assets | 70 |
| Children's Welfare | 60 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Maintenance