Sim Geok Seng v Lee Kim Kiat: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance Dispute
In Sim Geok Seng (alias Sim Eng Seng Robert) v Lee Kim Kiat, the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Choo Han Teck on 27 June 2007, addressed the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance following a divorce. The court ordered an equal division of the matrimonial assets, comprising the respondent's Central Provident Fund (CPF) account and the matrimonial home. The petitioner was ordered to pay $800 per month for the maintenance of their 15-year-old son. No maintenance was ordered for the respondent.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Equal division of matrimonial assets ordered; husband to pay $800 monthly child maintenance.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Divorce case concerning the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance. The court ordered an equal division of assets and set child maintenance.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Kim Kiat | Respondent | Individual | No Maintenance Awarded | Lost | |
| Sim Geok Seng (alias Sim Eng Seng Robert) | Petitioner | Individual | Child Maintenance Obligation | Partial |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Raymond Yeo | Jen Koh & Partners |
| Kalpanath Singh Rina | Kalpanath & Company |
4. Facts
- The petitioner and respondent were married on 21 January 1978.
- The petitioner was a manager at the Mandarin Hotel until 2004, earning about $50,000 a year.
- The respondent is a director of a company providing education services, earning about $4,000 to $6,000 a month.
- The matrimonial home at 9 Jalan Kebaya was purchased around August 1982 for $595,000.
- The matrimonial home was valued as at January 2007 to be between $1.8m to $2.3m.
- The couple also acquired two townhouses in Houston, USA.
- The respondent’s CPF account has $934,820.22 as at March 2006.
5. Formal Citations
- Sim Geok Seng (alias Sim Eng Seng Robert) v Lee Kim Kiat, DT 897/2005, [2007] SGHC 100
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Marriage occurred | |
| Matrimonial home purchased | |
| Petitioner sold Farrer Court flat | |
| Flat at Holland Heights sold at a loss | |
| Bungalow at Changi Grove sold | |
| Decree nisi for divorce obtained | |
| Respondent's CPF account balance recorded | |
| Matrimonial home valued | |
| Judgment reserved |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court ordered an equal division of the matrimonial assets.
- Category: Substantive
- Child Maintenance
- Outcome: The court ordered the petitioner to pay $800 per month for the maintenance of their son.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance for child
9. Cause of Actions
- No cause of actions
10. Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Divorce Litigation
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
- Matrimonial Assets
- Division of Assets
- Child Maintenance
- CPF Account
- Matrimonial Home
15.2 Keywords
- divorce
- matrimonial assets
- child maintenance
- Singapore
- family law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Division of Matrimonial Assets | 95 |
| Maintenance | 70 |
| Family Law | 60 |
| Care and Control | 20 |
| Access to Children | 20 |
| Custody of Children | 20 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Asset Division
- Maintenance