A Singapore family court has issued a significant ruling, ordering a Canadian senior executive to pay approximately ₹4 crore (S$634,000) in backdated maintenance. The case serves as a warning against attempts to avoid financial responsibilities to family members.
The man, formerly earning over ₹6 crore annually, resigned from his position shortly after his wife initiated proceedings seeking financial support for herself and their four children.
The court emphasized the principle of “earning capacity” as a key factor in determining support obligations, alongside current income. This ruling demonstrates that financial duties can remain enforceable even when an individual relocates internationally.
Man Quits ₹6 Cr Job
According to reports, the couple, both Canadian citizens, moved to Singapore in 2013. The husband held a senior executive role at a multinational company, with an annual income exceeding S$860,000 (approximately ₹6 crore). His wife was a homemaker, responsible for the care of their four children who attended international schools.
In August 2023, the husband moved out of the family home and began living with another woman. He initially offered S$20,000 (₹15.5 lakh) monthly, plus school fees and rent, but later reduced this to S$11,000 (₹8 lakh). This prompted his wife to file a formal application for maintenance under the Women’s Charter in October 2023.
Strategic Evasion?
Days after the maintenance application was submitted, the man resigned from his job, despite having a contract that extended until July 2024. He then left Singapore for Canada in January 2024, which initially stalled the legal process.
The court highlighted several points regarding his actions:
- Irresponsible Resignation: District Judge Phang Hsiao Chung stated a responsible father should secure new employment before resigning to ensure continued family support.
- Arrest Warrant: An arrest warrant was issued when the man failed to attend a court hearing in early 2024, and was lifted only after he attended a session via Zoom in December 2024.
- Rejection of Claims: The man claimed he was forced to leave due to rumors spread by his wife, but the court found no evidence to support this assertion.
Court’s Financial Verdict
The judge determined that the man’s earning capacity remained equivalent to his former Singapore salary until he obtained new employment in Canada in October 2024. Based on this, the court ordered a substantial financial settlement to meet the family’s needs.
Lifestyle Clashes
The husband’s legal team argued the wife’s spending was excessive, citing expenses such as Formula One tickets, cosmetic treatments, and luxury vacations. They suggested the family relocate to Canada, where healthcare and education are free.
The wife maintained her desire to preserve the standard of living the children had become accustomed to in Singapore. The judge acknowledged the wife would eventually need to seek employment but affirmed the father’s primary responsibility to provide financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the wife to seek a formal maintenance order?
The wife filed a formal application for maintenance under the Women’s Charter in October 2023 after the man drastically reduced his initial offer of financial support from S$20,000 to S$11,000 per month.
What was the court’s reasoning for considering the man’s earning capacity?
The court ruled that the man’s earning capacity remained tied to his previous high salary in Singapore until he secured new employment in Canada in October 2024, ensuring his financial obligations were met.
Did the court address the husband’s claims about his departure from Singapore?
The court rejected the man’s argument that he was compelled to leave Singapore due to rumors spread by his wife, finding no evidence to support his claim.
As the man has since secured employment in Canada, it is possible he may seek to renegotiate the maintenance order based on his current income. The wife may also seek to enforce the order through international legal channels if necessary.
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