XEB v XEC: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Wife Maintenance in Divorce

In the Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore, Justice Choo Han Teck presided over the divorce case of XEB (Husband) v XEC (Wife) on 27 September 2024. The primary legal issues were the division of matrimonial assets and the determination of spousal maintenance. The court ordered a 50-50 split of the matrimonial assets, valued at $5,990,122.73, and a lump sum spousal maintenance payment of $528,000 from the Husband to the Wife. The matrimonial home was transferred to the Wife, with adjustments made for the difference in asset values and the maintenance payment.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Defendant

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Divorce case involving division of matrimonial assets and wife maintenance. The court ordered a 50-50 split of assets and lump sum maintenance.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
XEBPlaintiffIndividualPartialPartial
XECDefendantIndividualPartialPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Sarindar SinghSingh & Co
Thian Wen YiHarry Elias Partnership LLP
Justin Ee Zhi-MingHarry Elias Partnership LLP

4. Facts

  1. The Husband, aged 55, is a Singapore citizen and managing director of family businesses.
  2. The Wife, aged 53, is a Japanese citizen and Singapore Permanent Resident, working as a homemaker.
  3. The parties married on 24 January 1996 and have three adult children.
  4. The parties lived separate lives in separate rooms since 2006.
  5. The Husband commenced divorce proceedings on 27 July 2021.
  6. Interim judgment was granted on 22 February 2022.
  7. The matrimonial home was valued at $3,196,400.41.

5. Formal Citations

  1. XEB v XEC, Divorce (Transferred) No 3527 of 2021, [2024] SGHCF 37

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married
Parties began living separately
Husband commenced divorce proceedings
Husband moved out of the matrimonial home
Interim judgment granted
Ancillary matters hearing date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court ordered a 50-50 split of the matrimonial assets.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Spousal Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court fixed the quantum of spousal maintenance at $2,000 per month and ordered a lump sum payment of $528,000.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Spousal Maintenance

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Matrimonial Asset Division
  • Spousal Support

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Wan Lai Cheng v Quek Seow KeeUnknownYes[2012] 4 SLR 405SingaporeCited for the principle that 'pure' inter-spousal gifts are matrimonial assets unless there is unequivocal intention to divest interest.
CLC v CLBUnknownYes[2023] 1 SLR 1260SingaporeCited for the exception to the rule that inter-spousal gifts are matrimonial assets, specifically regarding unequivocal intention to divest interest.
UZN v UZMUnknownYes[2021] 1 SLR 426SingaporeCited for the principle that spouses in divorce proceedings ought to treat each other with respect and observe a measure of give-and-take.
Tan Hwee Lee v Tan Cheng Guan and another appeal and another matterUnknownYes[2012] 4 SLR 785SingaporeCited for the principle that de minimis gifts are not matrimonial assets.
Ong Chen Leng v Tan Sau PooUnknownYes[1993] 2 SLR(R) 545SingaporeCited for the method to determine the number of years to pay maintenance.
TNL v TNKCourt of AppealYes[2017] 1 SLR 609SingaporeCited to clarify that the Ong Chen Leng method is merely a guide, not a rule of law.

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

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Spousal Maintenance
  • Interim Judgment
  • Ancillary Matters
  • Lump Sum Maintenance
  • Division of Assets
  • Matrimonial Home

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Spousal Maintenance
  • Singapore
  • Family Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Division of Matrimonial Assets95
Maintenance (Wife)90
Maintenance85
Property Law30
Wills and Probate10

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Spousal Maintenance