ZD v ZE: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance Dispute

In ZD v ZE, the High Court of Singapore, on 28 November 2008, addressed the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance following a 17-year marriage. The court awarded the plaintiff, ZD, 35% of the matrimonial assets and monthly maintenance of $1,500. The decision considered the contributions of both parties, the needs of the children, and other relevant factors under the Women’s Charter Act. The defendant, ZE, was ordered to pay $923,000 to the plaintiff and assign 35% of a debt owed to him by company A.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Order made for division of matrimonial assets and maintenance.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court decision on division of matrimonial assets and maintenance after a 17-year marriage, focusing on contributions and needs.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
ZDPlaintiffIndividualAwarded 35% of matrimonial assets and monthly maintenancePartialChia Chwee Imm Helen
ZEDefendantIndividualOrder to pay 65% of matrimonial assets and monthly maintenanceLostTan Chee Kiong
BOtherIndividual

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Chia Chwee Imm HelenClifford Law Corporation
Tan Chee KiongSeah Ong & Partners

4. Facts

  1. Parties were married in 1989 and have three children.
  2. Plaintiff obtained interim judgment to dissolve the marriage in 2006.
  3. Defendant is a director of three companies and earns approximately $16,000 per month.
  4. Plaintiff worked in one of the defendant’s companies and earned $2,319 per month.
  5. The first matrimonial home was an HDB flat at Y, fully paid for by the defendant.
  6. The second matrimonial home was at Z, with contributions from both parties.
  7. Parties agreed on valuations for various matrimonial assets totaling approximately $5.6 million net.

5. Formal Citations

  1. ZD v ZE and Another, DT 2668/2006, [2008] SGHC 225

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married
Parties lived in HDB flat at Y
First child born
Second child born
Third child born
Matrimonial home at Z purchased
Parties moved into matrimonial home at Z
Plaintiff started working part-time
Plaintiff obtained interim judgment to dissolve the marriage
Order made regarding division of matrimonial properties and maintenance
Plaintiff appealed part of the Order
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court ordered a 35:65 division of matrimonial assets in favor of the defendant.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2007] 3 SLR 520
  2. Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court awarded the plaintiff $1,500 per month in maintenance.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Lock Yeng Fun v Chua Hock ChyeCourt of AppealYes[2007] 3 SLR 520SingaporeCited for comparison of matrimonial asset division in a long marriage with significant homemaker contributions.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Women’s Charter Act (Cap 353, 1997 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance
  • Division of Assets
  • Women’s Charter
  • HDB Flat
  • CPF
  • Matrimonial Home

15.2 Keywords

  • matrimonial assets
  • division of assets
  • divorce
  • family law
  • maintenance
  • singapore

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Asset Division

17. Areas of Law

  • Family Law
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance