Single vs Dual Income Marriage: How Courts Classify and Divide Assets in Singapore
Single vs Dual Income Marriage: How Courts Classify and Divide Assets in Singapore
I. Introduction
1. Understanding whether a marriage is classified as a single or dual income marriage is crucial in Singapore, especially when it comes to the division of matrimonial assets. This article explores the factors the Courts consider when making this classification and how it impacts asset division outcomes.
II. Impact of the Court’s Classification
2. In Singapore, the classification of whether a marriage is single-income or dual-income has an impact on the division of matrimonial assets.
3. In long single-income marriages, precedent cases show that Courts tend to equal division of matrimonial assets. For dual-income marriages, the Courts apply a structured approach to division which considers parties’ direct and indirect contributions to the marriage.
III. How the Court decides whether a marriage is single-income or dual-income
4. With the above in mind, we discuss the various factors the Courts consider.
5. In cases where both spouses are gainfully employed and contribute financially to the household throughout the marriage, it is clear that the marriage is a dual-income one. On the other hand, if a homemaker has not worked a day in a his/her life while the breadwinner brings in the money, the marriage is then clearly single-income.
6. However, this distinction is often not clear in practice. Particularly in cases where the roles of each party are not clearly defined
7. Ultimately, the focus of the analysis in determining whether a marriage is classified as single-income or dual-income is based on the “primary roles”¹ carried out by the parties. There is, unfortunately, no strict test for this classification and its determination depends on the facts of the case. That said, we set out some factors the Courts have considered below.
8. First, large disparities in income where one spouse earns far less than the other does not in itself render the marriage as a single-income one.²
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¹ DBA v DBB [2024] 1 SLR 459 at [13].
² WXW v WXX [2025] SGHC(A) 2 at [13].
9. Second, the Courts have clarified that part-time or intermittent employment does not automatically render a marriage a dual-income one.³
10. In certain rare cases, the Courts have also found a marriage to be single income even though the spouse has been continuously employed. For instance, in Yow Mee Lan v Chan Kai Buan [2000] 2 SLR(R) 659, the Court notably found that the even though the Wife worked continuously, she “played a supporting role in the family business” and that she “did not have either the knowledge or talent… and could not herself have produced the substantial income he was able to generate”.
11.Third, and finally, regarding a spouse’s role as a homemaker:
(a) Just because the main breadwinner was involved as a parent to some extent or contributed substantially to the financial welfare of the family, it does not render him/her a primary or “joint homemaker”.⁴
(b) Whether a domestic helper is present in the household is also a relevant factor in considering whether a party is a primary homemaker. While the assistance of a helper does not diminish the value of the homemaker’s role, it allows the Court to observe how the care of the household is conducted.⁵
IV. Conclusion
12. Ultimately, the Courts qualitatively assesses the roles undertaken and discharged by each spouse relative to each other to determine whether a marriage is single or dual income. This assessment depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. Given how this classification can impact the division of matrimonial assets in Singapore, it is important to seek proper legal guidance. A family lawyer can guide you through the classification process and help protect your interests.
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³ DBA at [12].
⁴ DBA at [52].
⁵ WXW at [21] – [23].
⁶ UBM v UBN [2017] 4 SLR 921 at [52].
