Do I still have to pay maintenance if my ex-wife remarries?

[MarrickG]

From similar situations found in articles, usually an ex-husband will stop paying for the maintenance if his ex-wife remarries. The court decides on the final terms and conditions of the Maintenance the ex-wife is entitled to.

These news articles below describe similar situations:

In an article published in The Straits Times, on Mar 17 1994:

"...You may apply for maintenance during your marriage, separation or after your divorce, if your husband/ex-husband neglects or refuses to provide you with reasonable maintenance...

"…Both your ages and the duration of the marriage too are considered. The judge will try to place you in the same standard of living as you would have enjoyed if the marriage had not broken down.

"Period of maintenance... usually, the period of maintenance will last until the wife dies or remarries."

Another article entitled 'Counting the costs when wedded bliss turns to blitz' published in The Straits Times published on July 13 2003, says:

"... In dividing assets, couples can opt for so-called 'global settlements' where, for example, a woman may take over the ownership of the matrimonial home and forego monthly maintenance from her husband.

"She may prefer this if she fears that he will lose his job and there won't be any monthly maintenance from him. Either that or she expects to remarry before long and the maintenance will stop..."

A third article, 'No legal duty to settle spouse's debt' also from The Straits Times, published Oct 24 2004 states:

"...He will have to pay maintenance until you remarry or you die before him, or until his death or until you don't want it, or until he applies to have the Maintenance Order revoked because of a material change in circumstance and the court approves..."

"… Maintenance paid to you is different from the maintenance paid to your children."

The Women's Charter also states:

"Duration of orders for maintenance
117. Except where an order for maintenance is expressed to be for any shorter period or where any such order has been rescinded, an order for maintenance shall expire —
(a) if the maintenance was unsecured, on the death of the husband or of the wife, whichever is the earlier, or upon the remarriage of the wife; (

b) if the maintenance was secured, on the death of the wife or upon the remarriage of the wife."
(Source: Women's Charter (Chapter 353) in the Singapore Statutes http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/)

In addition to the information given here, we suggest you seek professional legal advice.