Tan Bee Bee v Lim Kim Chin: Division of Matrimonial Assets & Wife's Maintenance under Women's Charter
In Tan Bee Bee v Lim Kim Chin, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal by Tan Bee Bee ('the wife') against a district judge's order regarding the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance following her divorce from Lim Kim Chin ('the husband'). The wife sought a larger share of the matrimonial assets and a lump sum for maintenance. The court allowed the appeal in part, varying the order to grant the wife a larger share of the matrimonial assets but denying her request for maintenance. The court considered the parties' financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage, as well as the wife's role as the primary caregiver.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Petitioner’s appeal allowed.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Appeal regarding division of matrimonial assets and wife's maintenance. The court varied the order, granting the wife a larger share of assets.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Bee Bee | Appellant, Petitioner | Individual | Appeal allowed in part | Partial | |
| Lim Kim Chin | Respondent | Individual | Appeal partially successful | Partial |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Woo Bih Li | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Joseph Ang | Tan Kok Quan Partnership |
4. Facts
- The wife and husband were married on 8 February 1965.
- The wife petitioned for divorce on 14 April 2000.
- The decree nisi was granted on 12 September 2000.
- The husband retired in January 1993 at the age of 60.
- The wife retired on 1 April 2001 at the age of 62.
- The matrimonial flat was valued at $570,000.
- The other matrimonial assets held by the husband were valued at $913,000.
- The other matrimonial assets held by the wife were valued at $208,000.
5. Formal Citations
- Tan Bee Bee v Lim Kim Chin, Div P 1096/2000, RAS 720116/2003, [2004] SGHC 242
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tan Bee Bee and Lim Kim Chin were married. | |
| Son born. | |
| Daughter born. | |
| Husband retired. | |
| Wife petitioned for divorce. | |
| Decree nisi granted. | |
| Wife retired. | |
| District Judge made order on ancillary matters. | |
| Appeal allowed by varying the DJ’s order. | |
| Deadline for wife to exercise option to buy husband’s interest in matrimonial flat. |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court varied the order to grant the wife a larger share of the matrimonial assets, taking into account her direct and indirect contributions.
- Category: Substantive
- Sub-Issues:
- Valuation of assets
- Direct financial contributions
- Indirect financial contributions
- Non-financial contributions
- Disclosure of assets
- Maintenance of Former Wife
- Outcome: The court denied the wife's request for maintenance, finding that she did not require it from the husband.
- Category: Substantive
- Appropriate order for costs
- Outcome: The husband was ordered to bear the wife’s costs of the appeal fixed at $3,500 inclusive of disbursements. The costs order below remained.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of matrimonial assets
- Maintenance
9. Cause of Actions
- Divorce
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Matrimonial Proceedings
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Women's Charter (Cap 353, 1997 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Matrimonial assets
- Maintenance
- Indirect contributions
- Direct financial contributions
- Women's Charter
- Matrimonial flat
15.2 Keywords
- Divorce
- Matrimonial assets
- Maintenance
- Singapore
- Family Law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Family Law | 95 |
| Matrimonial Assets | 95 |
| Maintenance | 70 |
| Civil Practice | 50 |
| Costs | 50 |
| Wills and Probate | 10 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance