A WOMAN’s attempt to secure S$2,500 (around RM8,258) in monthly maintenance from her former husband was recently dismissed by the Singapore High Court.
As reported by The Straits Times, while the judge denied her appeal for higher maintenance, he did rule that her ex-husband’s share of their matrimonial assets should be reduced by 10 percent.
This decision was influenced by the man’s repeated actions that were seen as harmful to both the marriage and his ex-wife’s well-being.
The woman, a 39-year-old administrative assistant earning S$2,340 (about RM7,729) per month, will continue to receive a symbolic maintenance payment of S$1 (around RM3.30) each month, a decision previously made by a District Judge.
According to her lawyer, this token amount serves a legal purpose—it preserves her right to request further financial support from her ex-husband if needed in the future.
The couple divorced in 2023. Her former spouse, a 46-year-old regular member of the Singapore Armed Forces, earns a net monthly income of S$5,212 (approximately RM17,216).
Their 12-year-old daughter, whom they share joint custody of, currently lives with the father.
Delivering his judgment on 7 May, Justice Choo Han Teck increased the woman’s share of the couple’s flat from 20 to 25 percent, recognising it as part of the matrimonial assets.
In addition to the revised share of the property, the woman was also granted over S$52,000 (around RM171,760) from other shared assets.
The High Court judge supported the earlier decision by the District Judge not to grant her large monthly maintenance, citing that she had stable employment and had already received a reasonable share of the couple’s assets.
The court also noted that her monthly contribution of S$327 (approximately RM1,080) for their daughter’s upkeep was not considered excessive.
Given that the woman is a foreigner who relocated to Singapore for the marriage and lacks family support locally, the court upheld her right to receive the nominal S$1 maintenance for a transitional period of four years. —June 2, 2025
Main image: Brodsky Renehan Pearlstein & Bouquet
