Resources on Family Law

This segment is for me to share my personal views on issues and/or matters from time to time. All the views are from my own personal perspective / experience. I accept that some may agree with me while others will definitely disagree with me. Either way, I aim to be constructive in my views, so if I present any views that do not agree with you, please know that I do not mean any offence or hurt to any individual or group of people.

It is also not meant to be a free resource on what the law is. There are many of those in existence out there already.

I also do not wish for this segment to be turned into a playground for trolls. So, I have disabled “comments” to avoid a defamation fest on my page. However, if you do have any feedback on any of my views or any issues, please do send them to me personally.

Contact me through my direct line +65 9476 3230 (call / WhatsApp / text) or e-mail at lawyer@jinhuang.sg

Common Tricks by Unscrupulous Landlords for Residential Properties

July 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

1. Renting a place in a city like Singapore is common, both for foreigners (who do not own a place here) and locals (who need their own space) alike. In most situations, tenants just want a quiet and peaceful dwelling, and landlords just want to earn income from rental. Should be fuss free right? Well, unfortunately not all the time, even on the assumption that you are a well-behaved tenant who pa

2 Cases Where the Money (Itself) Did Not Justify the Suit

July 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

1. In my website, under “Areas of Practice” / “Civil / Commercial Litigation / Claims”, I wrote: “…Ultimately, good commercial sense dictates that most of the time it is “all about the money”. It does not make sense to throw good money at something that will cost more than the potential returns. However, there are sometimes “strategic” reasons for commencing a suit for a relati

Wills: Why You Should Engage a Lawyer in the Preparation of Your Will

July 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

1.I am often asked, “Need lawyer one ah?” My answer (*most of the time) is, “No need! But better to have one”. Some view the role of a lawyer as a mere “form filler”. Well, I wish that our jobs were that brainless and I did not have to invest so much of my mental capacity into my job. Even the most straightforward of our work involves layers of risk / liability / responsibility, which

Between A Rock and A Hard Place

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] Between A Rock and A Hard Place: Some Hard but Necessary Decisions in a Divorce / Child Custody / Relocation Case Involving Foreign Parties A. Some Highlights 1. A recent appeal that I was involved in was reported (see VLO v. VLP [2021] SGHCF 34) [link 1]. Please also see VLO v. VLP [2021] SGFC 68 (decision appealed against) [link 2] and VLO v. VLP [SGFC] 79 (1 o

Family Violence Can Happen to Anyone

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

Throwback to a PPO Trial I Handled a Few Years Back: Family Violence Can Happen to Anyone 1. My clients were the parents – ie. (the father “F”and mother “M” respectively) of the adult son “X”. F and M had been physically abused by X. When the matter came to me, PPOs had already been filed by F and M vs X, on the advice of a social worker. Earlier, M’s co-w

3 Divorce Myths I (Still) Commonly Encounter

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] 3 Divorce Myths I (Still) Commonly Encounter 1. In my 13 years or so of practice, I have often heard clients or potential clients saying things like “…but my friend / relative / church member / random-uncle/aunty-at-the-coffee-shop said…”. Typically, I reply with a question “Is your friend a lawyer?” and am usually met with silence. 2. Very often well-meani

Getting Into Another Relationship While Going Through Divorce: Is that Cheating? (a commentary on Mothership article dated 4 November 2021)

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

See : https://mothership.sg/2021/11/cheating-amid-divorce/ 1. I came across this piece on Mothership on 4 November 2021. Am actually amused at the inspiration for the article, but the views espoused by the writer as well as those interviewed are very sound. This is a valid question for those going through divorce, and I have been asked so by both male and female clients alike. 2. This bring

Divorce Procedure: How to Start Divorce Proceedings in Singapore

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

1. There are 2 main parts to a divorce in Singapore – the grounds for divorce, and the Ancillary Matters (i.e. custody, care & control and access, maintenance of the child(ren), maintenance of the (ex-)wife / incapacitated husband, and division of matrimonial assets. If all issues have been agreed upon, parties can opt for Simplified Divorce Proceedings, instead of filing proceedings along t

(PART 1 of 2) The Different Facades of Child Custody Cases – 10 Cases and the Important Lessons

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] 1. In this piece, I am sharing a summary of a few selected matters that I have personally handled. My aim is to illustrate the many shapes and sizes that such matters come in, as well as the real challenges that come with a family breakdown involving children. Each case brought some important lessons which are gleaned by looking at the cases themselves. 2. The law is instinctively strai

(PART 2 of 2) The Different Facades of Child Custody Cases – 10 Cases and the Important Lessons

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] A. Case 6 & 7: You Are “Fighting” for Your Child(ren)’s Affection, Not Your Ex-Spouse’s Demise 1. In CASE 6, I represented the father (“F”). He had previously sought a consultation on his ex-wife’s (“X”) intended relocation with the children to follow her new husband. A year later, F came back to me when X began threatening “legal action”. Essentia

Divorce Lawyer

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] Divorce Lawyer: My Journey Through the Past, the Present andPreparing for the Future of JinHuang Legal LLC 1. On 3 December 2021, I was granted in-principle approval for my law practice (JinHuang Legal LLC) application. While I take steps to incorporate and start operations from my own firm, I thought it useful to take stock of how I got here, and set my sights on the journey ahead. A.The

Upcoming Changes to Women’s Charter: Divorce By Mutual Consent and Extension of the Mandatory Parenting Program (MPP)

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] 1. Several amendments to the Women’s Charter were passed in a recent Parliament sitting (see: https://go.gov.sg/amendments-to-womens-charter). In this article, I will focus on 2 which caught my attention: 1.1 Introduction of “Divorce by Mutual Agreement”as a 6thfact to be relied upon as a ground for divorce; and 1.2 Extension of the Mandatory Parenting Programmeto more cases

How to Choose a Suitable Divorce Lawyer

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] Now Everyone (Suddenly) Has a “Heart” (or a Sob Story) – Marketing for the New-Age Lawyer 1.Most lawyers today would have some form or online presence. Not too long ago however, this was not the case. Understanding the numerous ways that lawyers market themselves these days, can potentially assist you in your quest to obtain suitable and satisfactory legal representation. 2. When

Divorce vs. Annulment vs. Separation

March 8th, 2022 Uncategorized

[ez-toc] 1. In this article, I am going to try my best to explain these 3 concepts in layman terms. Along the way, I will mention some frequent points of confusion / misunderstandings about each concept. It is not meant to be used as legal advice or to be (mis)quoted elsewhere. A. Divorce 2.This is the most common way to dissolve a marriage. Under the Women’s Charter, there are 5 (soon to be 6