WHM v WHN: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Wife Maintenance Dispute

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Justice Choo Han Teck heard an appeal in the case of WHM v WHN regarding the division of matrimonial assets and wife maintenance following a divorce. The appellant, WHM, challenged the lower court's decision on the valuation of assets and the percentage awarded to her. The court adjusted the division of matrimonial assets, awarding the appellant 12% of the net assets, and upheld the maintenance order. The court found the total matrimonial assets to be $554,573.08, including the HDB flat.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal allowed in part.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal concerning the division of matrimonial assets and wife maintenance after divorce. The court adjusted the asset division to award the wife 12% of the net assets.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
WHMAppellant, DefendantIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial
WHNRespondent, PlaintiffIndividualAppeal dismissed in partPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Thirumurthy Ayernaar PambayanMurthy & Co
Alagappan s/o ArunasalamA Alagappan Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The appellant and respondent were married in September 2003 and divorced in September 2016.
  2. The appellant was a beautician before the marriage and returned to that job after the divorce.
  3. The respondent works as an executive in an aviation manufacturing company.
  4. There were no children from the marriage.
  5. The parties owned a HDB flat valued at $427,999.57.
  6. The respondent bought a house in Malaysia in the appellant’s sole name.
  7. The respondent amassed a collection of assets referred to as “antiques”.

5. Formal Citations

  1. WHM v WHN, HCF/District Court Appeal No 48 of 2017(HCF/Summons No 325 of 2017), [2018] SGHCF 2

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage of WHM and WHN
Marriage broke down
Divorce granted
HCF/Summons No 325 of 2017 filed
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court adjusted the division of matrimonial assets, awarding the appellant 12% of the net assets.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Wife Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court upheld the lower court's decision regarding the lump sum maintenance payment to the appellant.
    • 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
  • Asset Division

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
UDL v UDMFamily CourtYes[2017] SGFC 77SingaporeCited for the valuation of the HDB flat.

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
  • HDB Flat
  • Antiques
  • Maintenance
  • Division of Assets

15.2 Keywords

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

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets95
Maintenance (Wife)80
Division of Assets75

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance