BMG v BMH: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance Dispute in Divorce

In the High Court of Singapore, Justice Choo Han Teck presided over the divorce case of BMG (wife/plaintiff) against BMH (husband/defendant), concerning the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance. The court determined the total value of matrimonial assets to be $6.75 million and awarded the wife 30%, amounting to $2.025 million. The court also ordered the husband to pay the wife $8,000 per month for 18 months as maintenance. The judgment was reserved on 13 November 2013.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff in part.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court case concerning the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance in a divorce. The court determined the value of assets and awarded the wife 30% along with monthly maintenance.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
BMGPlaintiffIndividualAwarded 30% of matrimonial assets and monthly maintenance.Partial
BMHDefendantIndividualRequired to pay 30% of matrimonial assets and monthly maintenance.Lost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Jimmy YimDrew & Napier LLC
Dennis Chua Soon ChaiDennis Chua & Co
Tan Cheng YewLeong Partnership LLP

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married in Bangkok on 25 April 2001.
  2. The parties have two children, aged 11 and 10, who have been living with the husband since June 2009.
  3. The wife commenced divorce proceedings in December 2009.
  4. The husband is a 50% shareholder of [X] Pte Ltd.
  5. [Z] purchased two vessels from [Y] for US$1.5 million, which remains unpaid.
  6. The husband made a gift of £100,000 to his parents after divorce proceedings commenced.

5. Formal Citations

    6. Timeline

    DateEvent
    Parties married in Bangkok
    Parties separated
    Wife commenced divorce proceedings
    Interim judgment granted
    Judgment reserved

    7. Legal Issues

    1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
      • Outcome: The court determined the total value of matrimonial assets and awarded the wife 30%.
      • Category: Substantive
    2. Maintenance
      • Outcome: The court ordered the husband to pay the wife $8,000 per month for 18 months.
      • Category: Substantive

    8. Remedies Sought

    1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    2. Maintenance

    9. Cause of Actions

    • Divorce

    10. Practice Areas

    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Matrimonial & Family Disputes

    11. Industries

    • No industries specified

    12. Cited Cases

    Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
    No cited cases

    13. Applicable Rules

    Rule Name
    No applicable rules

    14. Applicable Statutes

    Statute NameJurisdiction
    No applicable statutes

    15. Key Terms and Keywords

    15.1 Key Terms

    • Matrimonial Assets
    • Maintenance
    • Shareholding
    • Net Tangible Asset Value
    • Dividends

    15.2 Keywords

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

    17. Areas of Law

    Area NameRelevance Score
    Division of Assets95
    Matrimonial Assets95
    Family Law90
    Maintenance90
    Divorce90
    Child Custody70
    Shareholder Disputes30
    Company Law20

    16. Subjects

    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Asset Division
    • Maintenance