Family court rejects 90-year-old man's maintenance claim against 89-year-old ex-wife
A family court dismissed a 90-year-old man's bid for spousal maintenance from his 89-year-old ex-wife after their 64-year marriage, saying the S$2 million-plus he receives from the matrimonial pool sufficiently provides for him. The court also ordered the couple's S$5.8 million home sold within six
SINGAPORE: A family court has dismissed a 90-year-old man's claim for spousal maintenance from his 89-year-old ex-wife, noting that both are in the twilight of their lives and that he will receive more than S$2 million (about US$1.6 million) from the matrimonial pool.
The couple, who were married for more than 64 years and have three children all aged above 60, were granted an interim judgment for divorce in September 2024. Most of the value in the matrimonial pool came from their joint asset, a S$5.8 million house, which is to be sold on the open market within six months.
Justice Dedar Singh Gill, in a judgment published on Wednesday (Sep 16), determined the division of matrimonial assets. He added about S$14,500 from the man's assets, mostly from his Central Provident Fund (CPF), and about S$80,000 from the woman's assets, including almost S$20,000 in CPF, to the pool.
The woman argued she had contributed to 100 per cent of the matrimonial home, having financed it alone using proceeds from their previous property bought under the Teacher's Estate housing scheme, to which her husband contributed "nothing". The man sought a 50:50 division, but the judge noted neither side's account was supported by documentary evidence.
The judge assessed indirect contributions at 70:30 in the woman's favour, finding she bore the greater share of caregiving and homemaking. He noted the man "does no more than assert in general terms" and "descends to no particulars of caring for the children". The woman had also produced payment records for property tax and household bills she covered on her own.
The total ratio across direct and indirect contributions was computed at 60:40 in the woman's favour, giving her S$3.5 million and her ex-husband S$2.4 million. The man sought maintenance as an incapacitated former husband under the Women's Charter, citing medical issues and his inability to earn a livelihood, but the judge rejected the claim, saying the more than S$2 million he will receive is "more than sufficient to meet the needs of a 90-year-old retiree for the remainder of his life".
The judge also ordered that property tax for years of assessment 2025 and 2026 be borne equally by both parties, rejecting the man's bid for full reimbursement from his ex-wife's share. Each side will bear its own costs.
