SINGAPORE – A woman who abused all but one of the five children she and her husband adopted has been awarded 5.1 per cent of nearly $10.9 million in matrimonial assets in the couple’s divorce.
In a written judgment on Nov 18, a High Court judge said the wife did not make significant contributions to the family, both directly or indirectly.
“On the contrary, she was the cause of its pain and suffering,” said Justice Choo Han Teck.
The main asset was a 50 per cent share of a $14.7 million house that was their matrimonial home.
The husband and his business partner had bought the house together and registered the property in the names of their respective wives as tenants-in-common in equal shares.
Justice Choo also granted to the man sole custody, and sole care and control of the children, who are now aged seven to 12.
He also ordered the man to pay spousal maintenance of $6,000 a month when the woman stops receiving her monthly salary of the same amount.
The Singaporean couple married in 2008.
The 53-year-old man, a director of three companies, draws a monthly salary of $9,160.
The 55-year-old woman receives a salary from one of these companies, which is owned by her and the business partner’s wife.
The couple adopted five children as they could not conceive naturally.
The woman frequently abused the children except for the second-oldest, whom she liked. No details of the abuse were stated in the judgment.
