Divorce and Expat Wives

[k1w1]

I don't understand your question: "do you mean there are no kids at all?" (I'm only referring to couples who do not have children. Obviously the welfare of children should be a huge factor in maintenance decisions and taking care of them can impede on a parent's ability to work so the other spouse should help share this).

There could a scenario where there is no maintenance for the kids (say, at the divorce time they were out or almost out = they are adults) and I still think the spouse should be granted the maintenance for herself under some circumstances.

If a couple has no kids at all the maintenance for the spouse is more questionable but again, there are situations where I believe it should be granted.

Yes, the whole maintenance thing (both for the spouse and the children) is heavily abused but this is not a black and white situation at all.

Yup, hence my original comment being prefaced with "on the whole".

If a couple had been together for long enough for their children to have grown up and left home, and their arrangement was always for the wife to not work outside of the home, then of course that should be taken into consideration. Completely different scenario to a couple without kids where both parties can support themselves.

[JR8]

Bit of a contrast to US 'Spanish law' states where you get the ring on and are automatically entitled to 50%.

Scary

[ev-disinfection]

Time will heal all...
and if you have kids, it will be wise to be on speaking terms with your ex,

In the beginning, you will have fear, sadness, feel betrayed, but guess what, it is not the end of the world.
(Better to know now, than to carry on with someone who has no more love for you)

People who have not gone through it, will say that it is a bad thing and that it will never happen to them,
But those who have gone through it, will always say that it is for the best (And it is for the best)

Now, look ahead, be positive, find work, start a business, stay here, move back, and the only important person who says that you cannot do it, is yourself.

[Mad Scientist]

I'm a woman. And a mother. And I divorced in Singapore.

So I do know how very, very hard it is to be an expat wife in Singapore who goes through a divorce.

I don't think spousal maintenance is an atrocity. I just think it is often abused. Yes, every case is different, but if someone can work and support themselves, they should. I don't think being married automatically means one side should be entitled to ongoing financial support after the marriage ends. (As I already said, when there are kids involved, that is a different matter altogether.)

@kiwi1; I fully agree with you . At the end of the day , there are no winners