Businessman's ex-wife, sister tussle to be his legal guardian amid claims of affair and illegitimate child
A 50-year-old Singaporean businessman who suffered a debiliating stroke has become the centre of a dispute between his elder sister and ex-wife, with the former accusing the latter of having an extramarital affair and giving birth to an illegitimate child.
On Nov 14, District Judge Jason Gabriel Chiang denied the ex-wife's application to be the man's deputy, noting that she was not completely forthcoming in her application. Instead, the Family Court has now empowered his sister to make legal, financial and welfare decisions for him.
The sister further claimed that the ex-wife had not visited him in his nursing home for six months, and had sold his car.
In response, the ex-wife asserted that she and the businessman remained close friends even after their divorce.
Man suffered stroke at 48
Shin Min Daily News reported that the businessman, only named as P in court documents, suffered a stroke in March 2023 and now lives in a nursing home. His sister is five years older, and their parents died many years ago.
P's ex-wife is a 42-year-old mathematics tutor who works mainly from home or teaches online. The couple married in July 2008, and had two sons in 2010 and 2012.
On Jan 5, 2018, P filed for a divorce, which was finalised in July of that year. The two children were placed in the ex-wife's care, and he paid $1,600 in maintenance every month.
P previously posted on social media and told friends that he believed his ex-wife had an affair with the father of one of her students. In early 2019, the ex-wife gave birth to a third child, who is being cared for by the ex-wife and her mother.
Despite the divorce, P remained on cordial terms with his ex-wife, exchanging messages frequently and occasionally spending the night at her home, though they slept separately.
She also said P got along well with her third child and that the former couple remained good friends.
Ex-wife sold his car: Sister
At the time of the stroke, P's car was parked near a temple. When the ex-wife found out, she drove the vehicle away and continued paying the installments. She also used the car regularly.
Court proceedings revealed that she eventually sold the car.
The ex-wife also took P's mobile phone and gave it to their elder son, while transferring the phone line to her own name.
Ex-wife wanted to bring him home
Doctors assessed that P did not require 24-hour intensive monitoring. However, if he was brought home, he would need two trained caregivers, along with home modifications recommended by therapists.
The ex-wife argued that she worked from home, had a domestic helper, and that her mother could help care for him.
However, the judge noted that she still had a young child at home as well as work commitments, making it unlikely she could provide full-time care. Her home was also rented and could not necessarily be modified.
The sister added that although the ex-wife continued to visit P regularly at his nursing home, she had not done so for more than six months. The ex-wife said she was kept updated about his condition through the family members of another patient in the same ward.
Ex-wife not suitable: Judge
Judge Chiang noted that while a deputy does not necessarily have to be a family member, the ex-wife was not shown to be more suitable than the sister.
"P's Sister had shown consistency in care and concern for P and had been attending to P's needs dutifully," noted the judge, who ultimately appointed the sister as P's deputy.
