UFU v UFV: Child Maintenance Variation Application Post-Divorce
In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Justice Choo Han Teck heard applications by UFU (the Wife) and UFV (the Husband) to vary a child maintenance order made on 9 January 2017. The Husband sought to reduce monthly maintenance payments due to his reduced income and the children studying overseas. The Wife sought a lump sum payment due to the Husband's planned relocation. The court allowed the Husband's application in part, reducing the monthly maintenance, and dismissed the Wife's application for a lump sum. The court varied Component 2 and Component 3 expenses. The judgment was delivered on 27 July 2021.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Summons 44 of 2021 allowed in part, and Summons 90 of 2021 dismissed.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
The court considered applications to vary a child maintenance order due to changed circumstances, including children studying overseas and the husband's reduced income. The wife's application for a lump sum was disallowed.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge of the High Court | Yes |
4. Counsels
4. Facts
- The Wife and Husband were previously married and have four children.
- A maintenance order was made on 9 January 2017.
- The Husband applied to vary the maintenance order due to reduced income and children studying overseas.
- The Wife applied for a lump sum maintenance payment due to the Husband's planned relocation to Thailand.
- Three of the children are studying in the UK, while one is still in Singapore.
- The Husband retired from his full-time position but continues to work part-time.
- The parties disagreed on the percentage of household expenditure the Husband should contribute.
5. Formal Citations
- UFU v UFV, Divorce (Transferred) No 4267 of 2012(Summonses Nos 44 and 90 of 2021), [2021] SGHCF 26
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Divorce (Transferred) No 4267 of 2012 filed | |
| Maintenance order made by Judicial Commissioner Foo Tuat Yien | |
| S finished schooling in Singapore | |
| Husband planned to relocate to Thailand | |
| H's science tuition class terminated | |
| Judgment reserved | |
| Judgment delivered |
7. Legal Issues
- Variation of Maintenance Order
- Outcome: The court allowed the variation in part, adjusting the maintenance amount based on the changed circumstances.
- Category: Substantive
- Sub-Issues:
- Change of circumstances
- Reduction of income
- Children studying overseas
- Lump Sum Maintenance
- Outcome: The court disallowed the application for a lump sum maintenance payment.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Variation of maintenance order
- Lump sum maintenance payment
9. Cause of Actions
- No cause of actions
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Law Litigation
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed) s 72(1) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Maintenance order
- Variation application
- Lump sum maintenance
- Change of circumstances
- Household expenditure
- Educational expenses
- Relocation to Thailand
15.2 Keywords
- divorce
- child maintenance
- variation
- lump sum
- family law
- Singapore
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Maintenance (Child) | 95 |
| Family Law | 95 |
| Divorce | 90 |
| Children's Welfare | 70 |
| Maintenance (Wife) | 60 |
| Child Support | 40 |
| Child Custody | 30 |
| Contract Law | 10 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Maintenance