ARO v ARP: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance in Divorce Proceedings

In divorce proceedings between ARO (the Wife) and ARP (the Husband), the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Woo Bih Li, addressed ancillary matters, including the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance. The court granted joint custody of the daughter to both parties, with care and control to the Wife. The Wife was awarded 20% of the matrimonial assets, totaling $4,783,000, while the Husband retained the majority, including shares in his private company. The Husband was ordered to pay $2,000 per month for the Wife's maintenance and $2,000 per month for the daughter's maintenance, along with specific expenses.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff in part; Judgment for Defendant in part

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Divorce case concerning the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for the wife and daughter. The court granted the wife 20% of the assets and monthly maintenance.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
AROPlaintiff, AppellantIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial
ARPDefendant, RespondentIndividualClaim Dismissed in partPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Lucy NettoNetto & Magin LLC
Tan Chee KiongSeah Ong & Partners LLP

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married for 28 years.
  2. There are two children from the marriage, a son over 21 and a daughter under 21.
  3. The parties agreed on joint custody of the daughter, with care and control to the Wife.
  4. The total value of the matrimonial assets was agreed to be $23,915,000.
  5. The Husband held $23,055,000 worth of the assets, including shares in a private company.
  6. The Wife held $860,000 worth of the assets.
  7. The Wife had a gambling habit and lost substantial sums of money.

5. Formal Citations

  1. ARO v ARP, , [2015] SGHC 70

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage of ARO and ARP
Husband discovered Wife's gambling losses
Divorce Transferred No 776 of 2012 filed
Parties separated
Oral judgment given
Maintenance payments effective
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court granted the Wife 20% of the matrimonial assets.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Maintenance for Wife
    • Outcome: The court ordered the Husband to pay $2,000 per month for the Wife's maintenance.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Maintenance for Daughter
    • Outcome: The court ordered the Husband to pay $2,000 per month for the daughter's maintenance and certain specific expenses.
    • Category: Substantive
  4. Custody and Care and Control of Child
    • Outcome: The court granted joint custody to both parents and care and control to the Wife.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance for Wife
  3. Maintenance for Daughter
  4. Custody of Child
  5. Care and Control of Child

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Litigation
  • Divorce
  • Ancillary Matters

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
  • Custody
  • Care and Control
  • Gambling Habit
  • Private Company Shares

15.2 Keywords

  • divorce
  • matrimonial assets
  • maintenance
  • custody
  • care and control
  • family law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets90
Division of Assets90
Divorce90
Maintenance85
Child Custody80
Child Support80
Measure of Damages30

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Ancillary Matters