UJP v UJQ: Division of Matrimonial Assets, Child Custody, and Maintenance Dispute

In the case of UJP v UJQ, before the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Choo Han Teck J addressed issues arising from a divorce, including care and control of three children, their maintenance, division of matrimonial assets, and maintenance for the plaintiff. The court awarded care and control of the eldest child to the plaintiff, shared care and control of the younger two children, ordered the defendant to pay school fees and monthly maintenance for the children, and divided the matrimonial assets with the defendant receiving $1,387,878.71 and the plaintiff receiving $1,204,348.91. The court did not award maintenance to the plaintiff.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Care and control awarded to plaintiff for eldest child, shared for younger children. Defendant to pay school fees, monthly maintenance, and gap year expenses. Matrimonial assets divided.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Singapore court judgment on division of matrimonial assets, child custody, and maintenance for wife and children in a divorce case.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
UJPPlaintiffIndividualCare and control awarded for eldest child, shared for younger childrenPartial
UJQDefendantIndividualOrdered to pay maintenance and gap year expensesLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Wang LianshengBih Li & Lee LLP
Loh Wai MooiBih Li & Lee LLP
Shen Luda GenesisTemplars Law LLC

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married for 15 years before their marriage broke down in 2015.
  2. The plaintiff is 48 years old and works as a programme manager.
  3. The defendant is 46 years old and is a managing director of a financial technology company.
  4. The parties have three children, two daughters aged 17 and 15, respectively, and a son aged 10.
  5. The eldest child stated she does not wish to see her father.
  6. The two younger children have been alternating between the homes of the plaintiff and defendant during the divorce proceedings.
  7. The defendant has been shouldering the school fees of the children, which amount to about $6,587.08 per month.

5. Formal Citations

  1. UJP v UJQ, HCF/Divorce (Transferred) No 5125 of 2015, [2018] SGHCF 9

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage broke down
Divorce proceedings commenced
Interim maintenance order granted
Eldest child's gap year abroad
Hearing date
Hearing date
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Care and Control of Children
    • Outcome: Care and control awarded to the plaintiff for the eldest child, and shared care and control for the two younger children.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Maintenance for Children
    • Outcome: Defendant is ordered to pay the children’s school fees directly to their school, $7,900 per month to the plaintiff as maintenance backdated for a year, and $4,745.03 to the plaintiff for the eldest child’s gap year.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court determined which assets formed part of the matrimonial pool and their valuation, and divided the assets with the defendant receiving $1,387,878.71 and the plaintiff receiving $1,204,348.91.
    • Category: Substantive
  4. Maintenance for Plaintiff
    • Outcome: No maintenance was awarded to the plaintiff.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Care and control of children
  2. Maintenance for children
  3. Division of matrimonial assets
  4. Maintenance for plaintiff
  5. Costs

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Maintenance
  • Division of Matrimonial Assets

11. Industries

  • Financial Technology

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

  • Care and control
  • Maintenance
  • Matrimonial assets
  • Division of assets
  • Income approach
  • Direct contributions
  • Indirect contributions

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Child Custody
  • Maintenance
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets90
Care and Control90
Division of Assets85
Maintenance85
Maintenance (Child)80
Access to Children80
Child Custody80
Maintenance (Wife)75

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Matrimonial Assets