SINGAPORE, Sept 21 — A 90‑year‑old Singapore man has failed in his bid to obtain spousal maintenance from his 89‑year‑old ex‑wife, after the Family Justice Courts found that both parties were already adequately provided for following the division of their matrimonial assets.

In a judgment published on Sept 16, the court noted that the former couple — married for more than 64 years — will each walk away with significant sums from their matrimonial pool, largely derived from their S$5.8 million (RM18.5 million) home. The wife will receive about S$3.5 million, while the husband will obtain S$2.4 million.

Justice Dedar Singh Gill said the husband’s share of more than S$2 million was “more than sufficient to meet the needs of a 90‑year‑old retiree for the remainder of his life”, adding that both parties have no earning capacity and rely solely on pensions or payouts.

The court found that the wife had contributed the greater share to the marriage, both financially and through caregiving. She financed their homes, paid household bills, covered property taxes up to 2024, and supported the family on her pension after retiring in 1992 — giving her husband half of her monthly payout.

She also produced detailed evidence of her role as the primary caregiver, managing the household, supervising domestic workers, and overseeing the children’s schooling and activities. The husband, the judge noted, offered only general assertions of involvement without specifics.

The court ultimately assessed indirect contributions at 70:30 in her favour, leading to an overall division ratio of 60:40.

The man had sought maintenance as an incapacitated former husband, citing medical issues, minimal income, and the financial burden of living alone in the matrimonial home. He also asked for a lump sum amounting to 5–10 per cent of his share of the assets if maintenance was denied.

Justice Gill rejected both requests, ruling that ordering maintenance from an elderly retiree living on a pension would not be “just or necessary”.

The judge ordered that property tax for 2025 and 2026 be borne equally, noting that while the husband should not shoulder the entire bill, his argument for the wife to pay it fully was untenable.

The couple must sell their home on the open market within six months, with joint conduct of the sale. Each party will bear their own legal costs.