VEV v VEW: Child Maintenance Variation Appeal - Uninsured Medical Expenses

In VEV v VEW, the High Court of Singapore (Family Division) heard an appeal by VEV against a District Judge's decision to vary ancillary matters orders concerning child maintenance. The variation required the parties to share the costs of the children's healthcare, specifically deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, in a 75:25 ratio. The court dismissed the appeal, finding that there was a material change in circumstances to warrant the variation and that the District Judge's orders were fair.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding variation of child maintenance orders. The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the decision to share uninsured medical expenses.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VEWRespondentIndividualOrders upheldWon
VEVAppellantIndividualAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married in Italy on 14 July 2011 and have two children.
  2. The Father filed for divorce in July 2018, and interim judgment was granted on 5 March 2019.
  3. Ancillary matters orders were made on 8 October 2019.
  4. The parties were awarded joint custody of the two children, with care and control to the Wife and access to the Husband.
  5. The Mother filed FC/SUM 3151/2021 to vary the orders for the children’s maintenance.
  6. The District Judge allowed the variation in respect of the Wife’s responsibility for the costs of the children’s healthcare.
  7. The Husband appealed against the DJ’s orders in relation to the costs of the children’s healthcare.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VEV v VEW, District Court Appeal No 49 of 2022, [2022] SGHCF 29

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married in Italy
Father filed for divorce
Interim judgment granted
Ancillary Matters Orders made
High Court Family Division made orders on appeal
Mother filed FC/SUM 3151/2021 to vary the orders for the children’s maintenance
District Judge issued Grounds of Decision
Further Orders issued
Judgment reserved
Judgment

7. Legal Issues

  1. Variation of Ancillary Matters Orders
    • Outcome: The court found that there was a material change in circumstances to warrant a variation of the maintenance order.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Material change of circumstances
      • Uninsured medical expenses
  2. Responsibility for Children's Healthcare Costs
    • Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's order that the parties should pay for the deductibles in accordance with their income ratio of 75:25.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Deductibles
      • Out-of-pocket expenses
      • Medical insurance premiums
  3. Past Payments for Health Insurance
    • Outcome: The court found no evidence that the parties had expressly acquiesced to the sum of $454.22 and determined that there was no need for the Wife to repay the Husband for the sum of $1,218.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Acquiescence to monthly sum
      • Windfall benefit
  4. Cost Orders
    • Outcome: The court found that the District Judge was not wrong to award the Husband the sum of $1,500 plus disbursements.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Variation of Ancillary Matters Orders
  2. Appeal against cost orders

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Support

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

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

  • Child maintenance
  • Ancillary matters
  • Deductibles
  • Uninsured medical expenses
  • Material change of circumstances
  • Income ratio
  • Past payments
  • Acquiescence

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • child maintenance
  • divorce
  • ancillary matters
  • medical expenses
  • appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Child Support90
Maintenance90
Children's Welfare80
Child Custody70
Division of Family Assets60
Tax Planning10

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Child Maintenance
  • Divorce