fc_judgments: 74
Data source: lawnet.sg/lawnet/web/lawnet/free-resources
This data as json
| _id | _item_id | tags | date | court | case-number | title | citation | url | counsel | timestamp | coram | html | _commit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | d089b1cfa8d5c6c811958b06184cae10201875c8 | [
"Family Law \u2013 Maintenance \u2013 Child \u2013 Ex-wife applying to vary consent order for maintenance of two children by ex-husband"
] |
2024-09-06 | Family Court | Divorce No 2047 of 2021 (Summons No. 85 of 2024) | XCH v XCI | [2024] SGFC 74 | https://www.lawnet.sg:443/lawnet/web/lawnet/free-resources?p_p_id=freeresources_WAR_lawnet3baseportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_freeresources_WAR_lawnet3baseportlet_action=openContentPage&_freeresources_WAR_lawnet3baseportlet_docId=%2FJudgment%2F32086-SSP.xml | [
"Ms Tan Siew Kim Hilary and Ms Mahesh Rupawalla (Sterling Law Corporation) for the Plaintiff",
"Lee Wei Fan (Anthony Law Corporation) for the Defendant."
] |
2024-09-11T16:00:00Z[GMT] | Kow Keng Siong | <root><head><title>XCH v XCI</title></head><content><div class="contentsOfFile"> <h2 align="center" class="title"><span class="caseTitle"> XCH <em>v</em> XCI </span><br><span class="Citation offhyperlink"><a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/Judgment/32086-SSP.xml')">[2024] SGFC 74</a></span></h2><table id="info-table"><tbody><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Case Number</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body">Divorce No 2047 of 2021 (Summons No. 85 of 2024)</td></tr><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Decision Date</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body">06 September 2024</td></tr><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Tribunal/Court</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body">Family Court</td></tr><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Coram</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body"> Kow Keng Siong </td></tr><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Counsel Name(s)</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body"> Ms Tan Siew Kim Hilary and Ms Mahesh Rupawalla (Sterling Law Corporation) for the Plaintiff; Lee Wei Fan (Anthony Law Corporation) for the Defendant. </td></tr><tr class="info-row"><td class="txt-label" style="padding: 4px 0px; white-space: nowrap" valign="top">Parties</td><td class="info-delim1" style="padding: 4px">:</td><td class="txt-body"> XCH — XCI </td></tr></tbody></table> <p class="txt-body"><span style="font-style:italic">Family Law</span> – <span style="font-style:italic">Maintenance</span> – <span style="font-style:italic">Child</span> – <span style="font-style:italic">Ex-wife applying to vary consent order for maintenance of two children by ex-husband</span></p> <p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="80%"><p class="Judg-Hearing-Date">6 September 2024</p></td><td><p class="Judg-Date-Reserved"></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p> <p class="Judg-Author"> District Judge Kow Keng Siong:</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">Introduction</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_1"></a>1 This concerns an application to vary a consent order on child maintenance.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_2"></a>2 The Plaintiff and the Defendant were formerly wife and husband. As part of their divorce in 2021, they agreed, among others, that the Defendant was to provide maintenance at $500 for each of their two young daughters (“<b>maintenance amount</b>”). At the material time, the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter was 7 years old (D.O.B: xx April 2014) while the 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter was 3 years old (D.O.B.: xx March 2018).<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_1" id="Ftn_1_1"><sup>[note: 1]</sup></a></span> The terms of this agreement were recorded by way of a consent order (“<b>2021 Order</b>”).</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_3"></a>3 In January 2024 (i.e., 2½ years later), the Plaintiff applied to vary the 2021 Order in relation to the Defendant’s maintenance of, and access to, their daughters (“<b>Application</b>”).</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_4"></a>4 Following mediation in March 2024, the parties reached a compromise on some of the Plaintiff’s requests.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">Issues to be determined</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_5"></a>5 At the hearing before me, the Plaintiff’s requests on the following were to be determined:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_5-p2_a"></a>(a) That the Defendant’s monthly maintenance of each daughter <em>be increased</em> from $500 to $2,500 (“<b>1<sup>st</sup> Request</b>”);<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_2" id="Ftn_2_1"><sup>[note: 2]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_5-p2_b"></a>(b) That the Defendant is to <em>additionally</em> –</p> <p class="Judg-3"><a id="p1_5-p2_i"></a>(i) Provide $800 annually for each daughter’s “school opening expenses, uniforms and schoolbooks” from 1 December 2024 (“<b>2<sup>nd</sup> Request</b>”); and</p> <p class="Judg-3"><a id="p1_5-p2_ii"></a>(ii) Bear an equal share of the daughters’ “General Practitioner, emergency medical/hospitalisation and dental expenses” that are not covered by existing insurance policies (“<b>3<sup>rd</sup> Request</b>”).</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">Parties’ case</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_6"></a>6 The Plaintiff’s grounds for the above requests are as follows:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_6-p2_a"></a>(a) <em>First</em>, the living and educational expenses of her growing daughters had increased since the 2021 Order was made.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_3" id="Ftn_3_1"><sup>[note: 3]</sup></a></span> During oral submissions, it was highlighted that the 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter had been referred to the Child Guidance Clinic (“<b>CGC</b>”) for counselling for having suicidal tendencies. Currently, CGC’s services were provided free of charge. However, the Plaintiff had been told that fees at about $150 to $250 will be imposed from 1 January 2025.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_6-p2_b"></a>(b) <em>Second</em>, the Defendant was able to provide more maintenance as he had been doing “very well”. The Plaintiff came to this view because his income was more than $10,000 monthly, excluding commissions and bonuses. Further, after the divorce, the Defendant was able to purchase a condominium (which she believed to be valued minimally at $1.26m) and a “<em>new</em> Mercedes Benz” (which she believed to be valued minimally at $332,000).<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_4" id="Ftn_4_1"><sup>[note: 4]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_7"></a>7 The Defendant objected to the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Requests. His reasons were as follows:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_7-p2_a"></a>(a) <em>First</em>, the Plaintiff had failed to prove a material change in their daughters’ expenses. Their expenses, as alleged by the Plaintiff, were unnecessary, inflated, and/or baseless.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_5" id="Ftn_5_1"><sup>[note: 5]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_7-p2_b"></a>(b) <em>Second</em>, the Plaintiff had failed to prove that there had been an adverse change in her circumstances.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_6" id="Ftn_6_1"><sup>[note: 6]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_7-p2_c"></a>(c) <em>Third</em>, the Defendant explained that the condominium was bought with a $500,000 loan from his parents as he had no place to stay after the divorce.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_7" id="Ftn_7_1"><sup>[note: 7]</sup></a></span> As for the Mercedes Benz, it was an old car. It was bought at $59,000 with the COE expiring in February 2025.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_8" id="Ftn_8_1"><sup>[note: 8]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_8"></a>8 As for the 3<sup>rd</sup> Request, the Defendant was <em>“in-principle” agreeable</em> to it subject to a <em>caveat</em> – i.e., he should not be held liable if the relevant expenses could not be covered under existing insurance policies due to the Plaintiff’s failure or delay in bringing these expenses to his attention. The Defendant wanted the 3<sup>rd</sup> Request to be phrased such that each party would be required to act expeditiously to make the relevant claims.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_9" id="Ftn_9_1"><sup>[note: 9]</sup></a></span> During oral submissions, the Defendant also wanted to make clear that there should be no double claims.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_9"></a>9 After hearing parties, I made the following orders:</p> <p class="Judg-Quote-1">That Paragraph 3.1 of the Order of Court dated 30 September 2021 shall be varied as follows:</p> <p class="Judg-QuoteList-2">3.1.1 Commencing from 1 January 2024 and thereafter on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of each month, the maintenance which the Defendant shall pay for [the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter] shall increase from S$500.00 per month to $900.00 per month. The Defendant shall pay such maintenance into the Plaintiff's OCBC Bank Account No. [XXX]<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_10" id="Ftn_10_1"><sup>[note: 10]</sup></a></span> on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of each month. For the shortfall in maintenance from 1 January 2024 to September 2024 (totalling $3,600.00), such maintenance shall be paid into the said account by 1 December 2024.</p> <p class="Judg-QuoteList-2">3.1.2 The Defendant shall continue to pay the sum of S$500.00 per month as maintenance for [the 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter] on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of each month into the Plaintiff's OCBC Bank Account No. [XXX].<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_11" id="Ftn_11_1"><sup>[note: 11]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-QuoteList-2">3.1.3 Commencing from 1 December 2024, the Plaintiff and Defendant shall bear the expenses relating to the Children's laptop (subject to proof that this is required by the school), school shoes, school bag, school uniforms and schoolbooks based on their relative monthly income ratio to be determined by the court in Divorce No. 2047 of 2021(Summons No. 85 of 2024). Any payment or reimbursement of such expenses shall be paid within 14 days upon presentation of the relevant receipts.</p> <p class="Judg-QuoteList-2">3.1.4 The Defendant shall bear an equal share of the Children’s General Practitioner, emergency medical/hospitalisation, counselling/therapy, and dental expenses that are not covered by existing insurance policies. The Plaintiff (a) shall give notice to the Defendant within 48 hours of the relevant medical event and (b) shall submit the claim with receipts/invoices to the Defendant within seven (7) days thereafter. The Defendant shall reimburse the Plaintiff his ½ share of the relevant expenses within seven (7) days of receipt of the Plaintiff’s claim. The parties shall ensure that there is no double claim in relation to the relevant expenses.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_10"></a>10 For clarity –</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_10-p2_a"></a>(a) The orders in Paragraphs 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 arose from my decision on the 1<sup>st</sup> Request.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_10-p2_b"></a>(b) The orders in Paragraphs 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 were entered with the parties’ consent given at the hearing.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_11"></a>11 In this judgement, I will explain my reasons for making the orders in relation to Paragraphs 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">Applicable principles</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_12"></a>12 Section 73 of the Women’s Charter 1961 (“<b>Charter</b>”) provides that any agreement relating to child maintenance may be varied where the court is satisfied that “it is reasonable <em>and</em> for the welfare of the child to do so”.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_13"></a>13 On a plain reading, s 73 has two requirements. <em>First</em>, it must be “reasonable” to vary the maintenance order. <em>Second</em>, the variation must be “for the welfare of the child”.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_14"></a>14 Regarding the first requirement, courts have found that a “material change in the circumstances” of either the child or its parents can be a reasonable basis for varying the maintenance: <em>AYM v AYL</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/SLR/16670-SSP-M.xml')">[2014] 4 SLR 559</a> at [16]; <em>UGK v UGL</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/Judgment/20919-SSP.xml')">[2017] SGFC 121</a> at [15]. In determining whether an application to increase child maintenance is reasonable, it would be appropriate to consider, among others, the following:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_14-p2_a"></a>(a) Whether there has been a significant and unexpected increase in the child’s expenses: see e.g., <em>BZD v BZE</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/Judgment/24080-SSP.xml')">[2020] SGCA 1</a> (“<b><em>BZD</em></b>”) at [14]; <em>TOC v TOD</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/Judgment/18950-SSP.xml')">[2016] SGHCF 10</a> (“<b><em>TOC</em></b>”) at [10].</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_14-p2_b"></a>(b) Whether the proposed increase in maintenance is fair given the parents’ current income levels.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_14-p2_c"></a>(c) Whether the paying parent can afford to pay the proposed increase in maintenance given his/her level of expenses.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">My Decision</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_15"></a>15 Having set out the applicable principles, I will now apply them to the present case. Given that the Plaintiff had sought to vary the maintenance amount, she bore the burden proving that the requirements in s 73 are met.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-2">No significant increase in the daughters’ expenses since 2021</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-3">Daughters’ current monthly expenses</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_16"></a>16 To start, I note that the Plaintiff had sought a staggering five-time increase in the daughters’ maintenance – from <em>$12,000</em> annually<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_12" id="Ftn_12_1"><sup>[note: 12]</sup></a></span> to <em>$60,800</em> annually.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_13" id="Ftn_13_1"><sup>[note: 13]</sup></a></span><em>Instinctively</em>, such a scale of increase – within a short span of three years from the time of the 2021 Order – appears to be unreasonable. This is especially so given the absence of life-altering events (e.g., the development of a medical condition) during this period of the daughters’ lives. On scrutinising the Plaintiff’s list of the daughters’ expenses, I found several of them to be <em>in fact</em> excessive.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_17"></a>17 In my view, an appropriate quantification of the daughters’ current expenses is as follows:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_17-p2_a"></a>(a) 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter (10 years old) – $1,497 monthly</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_17-p2_b"></a>(b) 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter (6 years old) – $1,029 monthly</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a>For details of the above quantification, see <b><u>Annex 1</u></b> and <b><u>Annex 2</u></b>.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-3">Daughters’ monthly expenses in 2021</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_18"></a>18 The next step is to consider whether there had been a significant increase in the daughters’ monthly expenses since the 2021 Order. To do this, it is necessary to determine what such expenses were in 2021.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_19"></a>19 On this, the parties held the following divergent positions:</p> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="Judg-2-tblr" frame="all" pgwide="1"><colgroup><col width="42.4515096980604%"><col width="29.8340331933613%"><col width="27.7144571085783%"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Monthly expenses in 2021</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>1<sup>st</sup> Daughter</b> </p> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>(7 years old)</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter</b> </p> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>(3 years old)</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$1,950</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$865</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s case<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_14" id="Ftn_14_1"><sup>[note: 14]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$1,697</p> </td><td align="left" class="" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$1,577</p> </td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="left"><br clear="left"> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_20"></a>20 At this juncture, I digress to observe that based on the Defendant’s own case above, maintenance at $500 monthly for each daughter is <em>clearly</em> inadequate given their expenses in 2021. This amount is significantly less than 55.2% which the Defendant claimed should be his share of contribution to his daughters’ maintenance at the material time.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_15" id="Ftn_15_1"><sup>[note: 15]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_21"></a>21 Regarding the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter’s monthly expenses in 2021, I did not find the divergence between the parties’ positions ($1,950 vs $1,697) to be significant.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_22"></a>22 As for the 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter’s monthly expenses in 2021, I preferred the Defendant’s position. I noted that the amount of $1,577 is <em>closer</em> (than $865) to the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter’s monthly expenses. This can explain why the parties had agreed in 2021 that the Defendant was to provide the <em>same</em> amount of monthly maintenance (i.e., $500) for each of their daughters.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-3">Finding</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_23"></a>23 Given the above, I make the following finding:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_23-p2_a"></a>(a) For the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter, her current monthly expenses ($1,497) are lower than those in 2021. This is so based on both the Plaintiff’s case ($1,950) and Defendant’s case ($1,697).</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_23-p2_b"></a>(b) For the 2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter, her current monthly expenses ($1,029) are also lower than those in 2021 (using the Defendant’s figure of $1,577).</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_23-p2_c"></a>(c) Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to vary the maintenance amount <em>upwards</em> on the ground that there has been an increase in the daughters’ monthly expenses since the 2021 Order was made.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-2">Maintenance amount is unreasonable given the parties’ current income levels </p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_24"></a>24 I now turn to the issue of whether the maintenance amount is reasonable given the parties’ current income levels. The parties accepted that their share of contribution to their daughters’ maintenance should be in line with their current relative income levels.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-3">Defendant’s current monthly income</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_25"></a>25 Accordingly, I first determined what the Defendant’s current monthly income was. On this, I noted the following:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_25-p2_a"></a>(a) The Defendant’s pay package consisted of (i) fixed monthly salaries as well as (ii) payments under the employee referral scheme and bonuses.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_25-p2_b"></a>(b) Between December 2023 to May 2024, the Defendant’s nett average salary was about $10,000 monthly.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_25-p2_c"></a>(c) In February 2024, he received $125,602 in cash bonuses (“<b>Bonus</b>”).<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_16" id="Ftn_16_1"><sup>[note: 16]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_25-p2_d"></a>(d) Based on the Defendant’s IRAS Notice of Assessment 2021 to 2023, there is no evidence that such bonuses had been issued in these years.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_26"></a>26 Before proceeding further, I wish to address a point raised by the Defendant. He submitted that the Bonus should be disregarded in assessing his income as these were variable and non-guaranteed.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_17" id="Ftn_17_1"><sup>[note: 17]</sup></a></span> I disagree. The Bonus is clearly part of the Defendant’s income and is indicative of his earning capacity: <em>ACY v ACZ</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/SLR/[2014] 2 SLR 1320.xml')">[2014] 2 SLR 1320</a> at [43]. Courts have typically considered a party’s bonuses when making and varying maintenance orders: see e.g., <em>Tan Hwee Lee v Tan Cheng Guan</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/SLR/[2012] 4 SLR 0785.xml')">[2012] 4 SLR 785</a> at [98]; <em>BZD</em> at [12]. The Charter does not ring-fence a party’s bonuses from being subject to enforcement of maintenance orders: see e.g., s 80 (definitions of “earnings” and “maintenance order”), s 81 to s 88.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_27"></a>27 The real issue is <em>how</em> the Bonus should affect the calibration of the Defendant’s monthly income given that the bonus is variable and non-guaranteed.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_28"></a>28 The Plaintiff had approached this issue by simply adding the Bonus to six months of the Defendant’s most recent monthly income (where data was available) and then divided that figure <em>by six months</em>. I am unable to agree with this approach. It ignores the fact that the Bonus was given for <em>12 months</em> of work done in 2023.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_18" id="Ftn_18_1"><sup>[note: 18]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_29"></a>29 In assessing how to fairly factor the Bonus into the Defendant’s monthly income, I am of the view that the following is relevant:</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_29-p2_a"></a>(a) Between 2020 to February 2022 (i.e., the two-year period when <em>no</em> bonus was declared), the Defendant was working at <em>Bank A</em>.</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_29-p2_b"></a>(b) From February 2022, he began working at <em>Bank B</em> (his current employer).<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_19" id="Ftn_19_1"><sup>[note: 19]</sup></a></span> The Bonus was declared two years later – in February 2024.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_20" id="Ftn_20_1"><sup>[note: 20]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_30"></a>30 Given the above, one option is to divide the Bonus over the <em>two-year period</em> that the Defendant was at Bank B. This will ensure that –</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_30-p2_a"></a>(a) The Bonus is considered in computing the Defendant’s monthly nett income,</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_30-p2_b"></a>(b) Address the Defendant’s concerns that future bonuses are variable and non-guaranteed, and</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id="p1_30-p2_c"></a>(c) Reflect the reality that he had received the Bonus only after two years of working at Bank B.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_31"></a>31 The above approach is consistent with <em>WBU v WBT</em> <a class="pagecontent" href="javascript:viewPageContent('/Judgment/29255-SSP.xml')">[2023] SGHCF 3</a> at [41] to [43]. Applying this approach, the Defendant’s current monthly nett income would come to <b>$15,233</b>.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_21" id="Ftn_21_1"><sup>[note: 21]</sup></a></span> In my view, the Defendant is likely to receive future bonuses of <em>at least</em> similar amounts to the Bonus. This assumes that he will continue to work at Bank B. In this regard, I noted that there was no evidence that he was leaving Bank B or would be retrenched.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_32"></a>32 At this point, I digress to note that the Defendant’s current monthly income is <em>higher</em> than in 2021 when the 2021 Order was made. Based on his IRAS Notice of Assessment for 2022 ($109,881), the Defendant’s monthly income then was <b>$9,156.75</b>.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_22" id="Ftn_22_1"><sup>[note: 22]</sup></a></span> In other words, the Defendant’s current monthly income of $15,233 is <em>66% higher</em> than in 2021.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-3">Defendant’s share of child maintenance</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_33"></a>33 Having established that the Defendant’s current monthly income, the next step is to determine what should be his share of child maintenance vis-à-vis the Plaintiff. As stated earlier, this should be reasonably be based on their relative monthly income ratio.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_34"></a>34 On this issue, the parties’ positions are as follows:</p> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="Judg-2-tblr" frame="all" pgwide="1"><colgroup><col width="38.1876375275055%"><col width="29.8459691938388%"><col width="31.9663932786557%"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Relative monthly income ratio</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s position<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_23" id="Ftn_23_1"><sup>[note: 23]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s position<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_24" id="Ftn_24_1"><sup>[note: 24]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">Plaintiff : Defendant</p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">20:80</p> </td><td align="left" class="" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">40:60</p> </td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="left"><br clear="left"> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_35"></a>35 I am unable to agree with the parties’ positions. To recap, the Defendant’s monthly nett income (inclusive of Bonus) is <b>$15,233</b>. On the other hand, the Plaintiff’s monthly nett income (inclusive of bonuses) from December 2023 to May 2024 is <b>$11,892</b>.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_25" id="Ftn_25_1"><sup>[note: 25]</sup></a></span> Comparing their nett monthly incomes, the Plaintiff to Defendant nett monthly income ratio should be <b>44</b>:<b>56</b>.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_26" id="Ftn_26_1"><sup>[note: 26]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_36"></a>36 It bears highlighting that the ratio of 44:56 is similar to the parties’ relative monthly income ratio at the time of the 2021 Order. Based on their respective IRAS Notice of Assessment for 2022, the ratio then was <b>44.8:55.2</b>.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_27" id="Ftn_27_1"><sup>[note: 27]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_37"></a>37 The Defendant’s current share of the daughters’ maintenance is thus 56%. On this basis, the amount of maintenance that he ought to pay is as follows:</p> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="Judg-2-tblr" frame="all" pgwide="1"><colgroup><col width="48.34%"><col width="25.3%"><col width="26.36%"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>1<sup>st</sup> Daughter</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>2<sup>nd</sup> Daughter</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">Current monthly expenses (100%)</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$1,497</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$1,029</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">Defendant’s share (56%)</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$838.32</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$576.24</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$ difference from maintenance amount</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$348.32</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">$76.24</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">% difference from maintenance amount</p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>70%</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="" rowspan="1" valign="middle"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1">15%</p> </td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="left"><br clear="left"> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_38"></a>38 The above table clearly shows a <em>serious shortfall</em> in the Defendant’s monthly maintenance of the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter. This is consistent with the Plaintiff’s evidence that it had been “a constant challenge [for her] to keep up with paying the shortfall every month”.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_28" id="Ftn_28_1"><sup>[note: 28]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_39"></a>39 This shortfall ought to be addressed. It is <em>unreasonable</em> to expect the Plaintiff to cover this shortfall – especially when her income is lower than the Defendant’s: s 73 of the Charter. In my view, the shortfall can be addressed by the Defendant paying an additional $400 (rounded up from $348.32) in monthly maintenance for his 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter.</p> <p class="Judg-Heading-2">Defendant can afford to pay the additional maintenance</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_40"></a>40 The issue now is whether the Defendant could afford to pay this additional maintenance. If the answer is no, then the Plaintiff would have to either (a) come up with the funds to cover the shortfall, or (b) reduce/forgo some of the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter’s expense items – e.g., food and groceries, vitamins and supplements for her skin condition, tuition and enrichment classes. The second option will be inconsistent with the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter’s welfare and interest: s 73.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_41"></a>41 In my view, the Defendant <em>can</em> afford to pay the additional maintenance. According to the Defendant, his current monthly expenses is around $12,747.72 to $13,177.72.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_29" id="Ftn_29_1"><sup>[note: 29]</sup></a></span> Given that his nett monthly income is $15,233, this means that the Defendant has a <em>monthly surplus of about $2,000</em>. This means that he can afford to pay an additional $400 to maintain his 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter and still have savings.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_42"></a>42 It would be appropriate to order the increase in maintenance to commence from 1 January 2024. This is because many of the documentary evidence of the 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter’s expenses dated to the start of the year. Furthermore, there had been a serious shortfall since 2021: see [37] and [38] above.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_43"></a>43 Assuming that the Defendant had paid the maintenance amount up to the time of the hearing (September), this means that there is a shortfall of $3,600 in maintenance from January to September.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_30" id="Ftn_30_1"><sup>[note: 30]</sup></a></span> I decided to give the Defendant until 1 December 2024 to pay the shortfall to the Plaintiff. This four-month grace period should give the Defendant sufficient time to raise these funds. After all, he has a monthly buffer of about $1,600 after paying the additional maintenance. If needed, the Defendant can also cut down on his monthly personal expenses – such as “F&B” ($1,000) and “Networking & Entertainment” ($500). I am confident that the Defendant will not shirk away from his financial responsibility towards his 1<sup>st</sup> Daughter.<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_31" id="Ftn_31_1"><sup>[note: 31]</sup></a></span></p> <p class="Judg-Heading-1">Conclusion</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_44"></a>44 For the above reasons, I varied the 2021 Order as set out in [9] above.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id="p1_45"></a>45 Parties are urged to agree on the costs of FC/SUM 85/2024. If there is no such agreement, the parties are to write in to inform the court <b>by 20 September 2024</b>. The court will thereafter hear the parties on costs on a date to be fixed. For the purposes of filing an appeal, time shall start to run from (a) 20 September 2024, or (b) the date the costs order is given, whichever is applicable.</p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a>___________________________</p> <p class="Judg-2"><a id=""></a></p><div align="right"> <b><u>Annex 1</u></b> </div><p></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a></p><div align="center"> <b>MONTHLY EXPENSES – 1<sup>ST</sup> DAUGHTER [10 YEARS OLD]</b> </div><p></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a></p><div align="center"> <em>(Items where the Plaintiff’s claim exceeds court’s finding are highlighted in grey)</em> </div><p></p> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="Judg-2-tblr" frame="all" pgwide="0"><colgroup><col width="6.01879624075185%"><col width="18.6762647470506%"><col width="19.2161567686463%"><col width="17.2365526894621%"><col width="19.2161567686463%"><col width="19.6360727854429%"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Expense item</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case 2021 ($)</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case Current ($)</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s case<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_32" id="Ftn_32_1"><sup>[note: 32]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Court’s finding</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">1</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">School fees</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">500.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">7.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">7.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>7.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">2</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">School allowance</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">100.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">100.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>100.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">3</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Transport</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">450.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">270.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>270.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reasons:</u> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(a) The Defendant’s computation is accepted.</p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(b) This expense item includes transport to/from tuition and enrichment classes – some of which the Defendant is not obliged to pay (see s/n 13). </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">4</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Food & groceries</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">500.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">800.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">300.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>300.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> The Defendant’s computation is accepted.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">5</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Stationery</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">150.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">350.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">60.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>60.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">6</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Clothing, shoes, etc.</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">50.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>30.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">7</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Toiletries & personal care</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">8</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Vitamins & supplements</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">120.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">180.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">50.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>180.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reasons:</u> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(a) This expense item is not limited to LactoGG</p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(b) Plaintiff’s explanation is accepted</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">9</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Electronic gadgets</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">8.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">10</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">GP / Dental visits</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">80.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">11</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Haircut</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">7.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">12</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Birthday parties / Gifts for friends</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">150.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>0.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> This expense item does not relate to the child’s maintenance.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">13</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Tuition & enrichment classes</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">150.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">900.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">450.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>450.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> Defendant was not consulted before this expense item was incurred. </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">14</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Weekend outings</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">200.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">400.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>0.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> This item should be borne by the Plaintiff.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">15</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Insurance</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">150.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason</u>: Defendant was not consulted before this expense item was incurred.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Total</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case: 1,950.00</b> </p> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s case: 1,697.00<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_33" id="Ftn_33_1"><sup>[note: 33]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>3,354.00</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>1,322.00</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>1,497.00</b> </p> </td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="left"><br clear="left"> <p class="Judg-2"><a id=""></a></p><div align="right"> <b><font style="text-transform: uppercase;"></font></b> <b><u>Annex 2</u></b> </div><p></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a></p><div align="center"> <b>MONTHLY EXPENSES – 2ND DAUGHTER [6 YEARS OLD]</b> </div><p></p> <p class="Judg-1"><a id=""></a></p><div align="center"> <em>(Items where the Plaintiff’s claim exceeds court’s finding are highlighted in grey)</em> </div><p></p> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="Judg-2-tblr" frame="all" pgwide="0"><colgroup><col width="5.48%"><col width="19.72%"><col width="19.86%"><col width="18.32%"><col width="18.32%"><col width="18.3%"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Item</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case 2021 ($)</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case Current ($)</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s case<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_34" id="Ftn_34_1"><sup>[note: 34]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="center" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Court’s finding</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">1</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">School fees</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">280.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">720.00</p> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">(Later revised to 400.00)</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">230.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>230.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Comment</u>: </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">From 2025 –</p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(a) This item will drop to $7.00 when the child enters primary school.</p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">(b) The difference between $230.00 and $7.00 can be channeled into the child’s tuition and enrichment classes when the child enters primary school: see s/n 13 below. </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">2</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Stationery</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>10.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">3</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Transport</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">80.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>80.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">4</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Food & groceries</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">100.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">300.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">300.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>300.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">5</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Clothing, shoes, etc.</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">50.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>30.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">6</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Book / Art and crafts</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>10.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">7</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Toiletries & personal care</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">8</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Vitamins & supplements</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">120.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">180.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">100.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>180.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">9</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Electronic gadgets</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>0.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">10</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">GP / Dental visits</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">5.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">11</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Haircut</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">10.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">7.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">12</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Birthday parties / Gifts for friends</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">80.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>0.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> This expense item does not relate to the child’s maintenance.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">13</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Tuition & enrichment classes</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">300.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">109.00</p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Defendant agrees to pay for the swimming lessons</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>109.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason</u>: See comment at s/n 1(b) above. </p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">14</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Weekend outings</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">180.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">300.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">0.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>0.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason:</u> This item should be borne by the Plaintiff.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">15</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1">Insurance</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">30.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">150.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="br" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1">20.00</p> </td><td align="left" class="b" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>20.00</b> </p> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <u>Reason</u>: Defendant was not consulted before this expense item was incurred.</p> </td></tr><tr><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="justify" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Total</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Plaintiff’s case: 865.00</b> </p> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>Defendant’s case: 1,577.00<span class="FootnoteRef"><a href="#Ftn_35" id="Ftn_35_1"><sup>[note: 35]</sup></a></span></b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>2,160.00</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="r" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>836.00</b> </p> </td><td align="left" class="" rowspan="1" valign="top"> <p align="right" class="Table-Para-1"> <b>1,029.00</b> </p> </td></tr></tbody></table><br clear="left"><br clear="left"> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%"><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_1_1" id="Ftn_1">[note: 1]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at [5].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_2_1" id="Ftn_2">[note: 2]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at [10]; Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 18 July 2024 at [6(a)].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_3_1" id="Ftn_3">[note: 3]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at [10], [14], [15], [27], [28], [30].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_4_1" id="Ftn_4">[note: 4]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at [31], [32], [35], [38] – [45].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_5_1" id="Ftn_5">[note: 5]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [12], [15], [32].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_6_1" id="Ftn_6">[note: 6]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [32].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_7_1" id="Ftn_7">[note: 7]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [23].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_8_1" id="Ftn_8">[note: 8]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [24].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_9_1" id="Ftn_9">[note: 9]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [7] and [8]; Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [9].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_10_1" id="Ftn_10">[note: 10]</a></sup>This is the same bank account as reflected in the 2021 Order at Paragraph 3.1.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_11_1" id="Ftn_11">[note: 11]</a></sup>This is the same bank account as reflected in the 2021 Order at Paragraph 3.1.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_12_1" id="Ftn_12">[note: 12]</a></sup>Based on $1,000 x 12 months.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_13_1" id="Ftn_13">[note: 13]</a></sup>Based on [$5,000 x 12 months] + $800.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_14_1" id="Ftn_14">[note: 14]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [15].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_15_1" id="Ftn_15">[note: 15]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [22].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_16_1" id="Ftn_16">[note: 16]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at page 132.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_17_1" id="Ftn_17">[note: 17]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [21].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_18_1" id="Ftn_18">[note: 18]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s Written Submissions dated 29 August 2024 at [38].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_19_1" id="Ftn_19">[note: 19]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at page 253 (Tab G) – the Defendant’s LinkedIn profile.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_20_1" id="Ftn_20">[note: 20]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [29].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_21_1" id="Ftn_21">[note: 21]</a></sup>Based on [$125,602 divided by 24 months] + $10,000: see [30] above.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_22_1" id="Ftn_22">[note: 22]</a></sup>Based on $109,881 divided by 12 months.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_23_1" id="Ftn_23">[note: 23]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s Written Submissions dated 29 August 2024 at [38] to [40].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_24_1" id="Ftn_24">[note: 24]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [21] and [22].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_25_1" id="Ftn_25">[note: 25]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 18 July 2024 at [18]; Plaintiff’s Written Submissions dated 29 August 2024 at [38].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_26_1" id="Ftn_26">[note: 26]</a></sup>The Plaintiff’s share is based on $11,892 / [$11,892 + $15,233]. The Defendant’s share is based on $15,233 / [$11,892 + $15,233].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_27_1" id="Ftn_27">[note: 27]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [22].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_28_1" id="Ftn_28">[note: 28]</a></sup>Plaintiff’s affidavit dated 9 January 2024 at [10], [14], [15], [27], [28], [30].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_29_1" id="Ftn_29">[note: 29]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at page 44; Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 24 August 2024 at [23(c)].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_30_1" id="Ftn_30">[note: 30]</a></sup>Based on $400 per month (additional maintenance) x 9 months.</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_31_1" id="Ftn_31">[note: 31]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit 4 July 2024 at [5] and [25].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_32_1" id="Ftn_32">[note: 32]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [18].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_33_1" id="Ftn_33">[note: 33]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [17(a)].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_34_1" id="Ftn_34">[note: 34]</a></sup>Defendant’s Written Submissions dated 28 August 2024 at [18(b)].</p><p class="Footnote"><sup><a href="#Ftn_35_1" id="Ftn_35">[note: 35]</a></sup>Defendant’s affidavit dated 4 July 2024 at [17].</p></div></content></root> | 1800 |
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