VNW v VNX: Division of Matrimonial Assets & Maintenance Post-Divorce

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Senior Judge Tan Lee Meng presided over the ancillary matters of the divorce case VNW v VNX. The Plaintiff, VNW (the Wife), and the Defendant, VNX (the Husband), disputed the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for the Wife and their two children. The court addressed issues related to asset disclosure, valuation dates, and the inclusion of specific assets in the matrimonial pool. Ultimately, the court made orders regarding the division of assets and maintenance for the Wife and children, considering the Husband's lack of full disclosure and the children's needs.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Orders made relating to the maintenance of the child and the plaintiff and the division of matrimonial assets.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Singapore court case involving division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for wife and children after divorce. The court addressed asset disclosure issues.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VNWPlaintiffIndividualOrders made relating to maintenance and division of matrimonial assetsPartial
VNXDefendantIndividualOrders made relating to maintenance and division of matrimonial assetsPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Tan Lee MengSenior JudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Yoon Min JooHarry Elias Partnership LLP
Chettiar Kamalarajan MalaiyandiRajan Chettiar LLC

4. Facts

  1. The Wife filed for divorce in December 2018, citing the Husband's infidelity.
  2. The parties agreed to divide their matrimonial assets equally and set valuation dates.
  3. The Husband failed to fully disclose several assets, including stocks and pension plans.
  4. The Husband claimed to be unemployed but was running a business as a franchisee.
  5. The Wife claimed the Husband dissipated matrimonial assets through withdrawals.
  6. The parties disagreed on the value and inclusion of several assets, including properties, cars, and art.
  7. The Wife sought maintenance for herself and the children, while the Husband contested it.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VNW v VNX, Divorce (Transferred) No 5670 of 2018, [2021] SGHCF 1

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage registered in Singapore
Divorce filed
Interim judgment granted
Consent order recorded regarding custody, care, and control of children
Wife filed first Affidavit of Assets and Means
Husband filed first Affidavit of Assets and Means
Wife filed second Affidavit of Assets and Means
Hearing of ancillary matters
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court determined which assets were to be included in the pool of matrimonial assets and their valuation.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Valuation of assets
      • Inclusion of assets
      • Dissipation of assets
      • Disclosure of assets
  2. Maintenance for Wife
    • Outcome: The court ordered the Husband to pay the Wife a monthly maintenance of S$1,000.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Earning capacity
      • Financial needs
      • Standard of living
      • Contributions to the family
  3. Maintenance for Children
    • Outcome: The court ordered the Husband to pay S$15,450 per month for the maintenance of both children.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Children's expenses
      • Parents' financial capacity
      • Standard of living
  4. Full and Frank Disclosure of Assets
    • Outcome: The court drew adverse inferences against the Husband for failing to fully disclose his assets.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Adverse inference
      • Non-disclosure of assets

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance for Wife
  3. Maintenance for Children
  4. Costs

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce
  • Division of Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Litigation
  • Ancillary Matters

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
USB v USA and another appealCourt of AppealYes[2020] SGCA 57SingaporeCited for the burden of proof regarding whether a property is a matrimonial asset.
TNL v TNK and another appeal and another matterCourt of AppealYes[2017] 1 SLR 609SingaporeCited regarding the court's consideration of dissipated funds and the multi-factorial inquiry for awarding maintenance.
Foo Ah Yan v Chiam Heng ChowCourt of AppealYes[2012] 2 SLR 506SingaporeCited for the objective of maintenance, which is to give a fair share of surplus wealth acquired during the marriage.
ATE v ATD and another appealSingapore Court of AppealYes[2016] SGCA 2SingaporeCited for the principle that maintenance for a former spouse is supplementary to the division of matrimonial assets.
JBB v JBAN/ANo[2015] 5 SLR 153SingaporeCited regarding the 'no fault' divorce regime under the Women's Charter.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed)Singapore
Women’s CharterSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Interim Judgment
  • Affidavit of Assets and Means
  • Joint Summary
  • Dissipation of Assets
  • Full and Frank Disclosure
  • Adverse Inference
  • Maintenance
  • Source Bulk Foods
  • Franchisee

15.2 Keywords

  • divorce
  • matrimonial assets
  • maintenance
  • family law
  • Singapore
  • ancillary matters

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Matrimonial Assets100
Division of Assets100
Divorce100
Family Law100
Maintenance80
Child Custody70
Child Support70
Children's Welfare60
Disclosure of Assets60
Costs50
Adverse Inference50
Evidence40
Corporate Law20
Company Law20

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance