VZD v VZE: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Children's Maintenance Dispute
In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, the wife, VZD, appealed against the District Judge's orders regarding the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for the children against the husband, VZE. The High Court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, dismissed most of the wife's appeal, except for adding $30,000 to the matrimonial pool. The court upheld the District Judge's valuation of the husband's shares in Company X, the assessment of the ETC bank account, the apportionment of indirect contributions, and the rejection of adverse inference against the husband. The court varied the order for the children's variable expenses, adopting the husband's proposal with amendments to include secondary school education expenses.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
General Division of the High Court (Family Division)1.2 Outcome
Appeal dismissed in part and allowed in part.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Appeal concerning division of matrimonial assets and children's maintenance. The court dismissed most of the wife's appeal but allowed $30,000 to be added to the matrimonial pool.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VZD | Appellant | Individual | Appeal dismissed in part | Partial | Physilia Lim Yi Jie |
| VZE | Respondent | Individual | Appeal partially allowed against | Partial | Ang Woon Kherk |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge of the High Court | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Physilia Lim Yi Jie | Drew & Napier LLC |
| Ang Woon Kherk | Ang & Tan Law Corporation |
4. Facts
- The Wife is 49 years old and works as a teacher.
- The Husband is 52 years old and works in the tuition industry.
- The Husband is a 33% shareholder and director of Company X.
- The parties were married for 24 years.
- Interim judgment was granted on 11 February 2020.
- There are three children to the marriage, aged 19, 17, and 11.
- The Husband took a $30,000 loan from Company X on 5 June 2020.
5. Formal Citations
- VZD v VZE, District Court Appeal 117 of 2021, [2022] SGHCF 10
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Interim judgment granted | |
| Husband took a $30,000.00 loan from Company X | |
| Ancillary issues heard by District Judge Clement Yong | |
| Ancillary issues heard by District Judge Clement Yong | |
| Hearing date | |
| Hearing date | |
| Judgment date |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's valuation of the husband's shares in Company X and the assessment of the ETC bank account.
- Category: Substantive
- Maintenance of Children
- Outcome: The court varied the order for the children's variable expenses, adopting the husband's proposal with amendments to include secondary school education expenses.
- Category: Substantive
- Indirect Contribution to Marriage
- Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's apportionment of indirect contributions in the ratio of 60:40 in favor of the Wife.
- Category: Substantive
- Adverse Inference for Non-Disclosure of Assets
- Outcome: The court found insufficient evidence to draw an adverse inference against the Husband for concealing or dissipating assets.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Appeal against the division of matrimonial assets
- Appeal against the maintenance of the Children
9. Cause of Actions
- No cause of actions
10. Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Ancillary Matters
11. Industries
- Education
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC v BPB | High Court | Yes | [2019] 1 SLR 608 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that evidence is needed to establish a prima facie case that the Husband has been concealing or dissipating assets. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Matrimonial assets
- Variable maintenance
- Indirect contribution
- Adverse inference
- Company X
- ETC
- BDO Valuation
- PKF Valuation
15.2 Keywords
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
- Singapore
- Family Law
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
17. Areas of Law
- Family Law
- Matrimonial Assets
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance