Category Archives: Best Interests

Round-Up of Divorce News

Spring has arrived and what better way to ring in the Spring season than to summarize some of the few highlights from Divorce news stories circulating the Web.

Gender and Diversity In Divorce

South China Morning Post published a story about a decision by a Court in Beijing, China ruling that a Husband should compensate his Wife for housework she had done over a period of five (5) years. The penalty? US$7,700. Whilst there may be some housewives out there that might scoff at the idea that 5 years’ worth of housework was only worth a penalty of US$7,700, it is in fact an interesting ruling as it places a monetary value to chores and housework.

According to the SCMP article, there has been and continues to be a larger debate in China about the role of women who stay at home rather than enter the workforce. This is the first ruling of its kind in China since a marriage law came into effect on January 1, 2021. With the new law in place, it will be interesting to see how this plays out and how women (who continue to mostly be in charge of housework in China) will be compensated as they are now entitled to request relief from the Court.

Chasing After The Sun

In a recent Miami Herald article, it was declared that Florida is fertile ground for love such that divorced men are choosing the state of Florida as their primary destination to move to after a divorce. Could it be that it is perhaps the sun and that sun-kissed glow attracting newly single men to flock to the sunny Florida state?

According to the article published by the Miami Herald, a study by MagnifyMoney confirms that Florida is welcoming nearly 2,581 men in the 12 months after a divorce. The study states that the real reason men are choosing Florida over other states is due to job opportunities and career advancement along with the lower cost of living offered by Florida as an incentive to move. Given the current state of affairs around the globe, it also would make sense for individuals to move where space is a luxury, as is outdoor recreation activities. After Florida, men are choosing California, then North Carolina as their second and third best destination option.

If men are heading to Florida, then where are women heading? According to the study, women opt for Texas, followed by Florida, then Georgia.

Divorce and Daughters

In a new article published by The Economist, there are several studies conducted in America which confirm that having a female first-born does in fact increase the risk of the child’s parents divorcing, particularly in America and the Netherlands. This study conducted by Jan Kabatek of the University of Melbourne in Australia and David Ribar of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA also states that “daughter-divorce” risk emerges only in a first-born girl’s teenage years. According to the researchers, the primary reason behind the “daughter-divorce” risk is based upon the fact that parents quarrel more over the upbringing of teenager daughters versus teenage sons.

Covid-19, Depression and Divorce

In unsurprising news, the BBC reports that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in depression and stress among parents resulting in fears, worry and anxiety. This has led to frequent arguments among couples, thus placing additional stress on the relationship and opening the door to couples considering separation and divorce. Demands faced by parents are becoming increasingly stressful as parents not only are dealing with Covid-19 related fears, but the resulting effects of Covid-19 including lockdowns, home schooling mixed in with the pressures of work commitments.

According to the report, Oxford researchers are now tracking both children and parents’ mental health throughout this crisis.

Those are some of the more interesting stories hitting the web. Stay tuned for additional summaries of interesting stories circulating the web related to divorce.

Child Maintenance And Access If One Parent Leaves Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city with people from all over the world. Over the years, many expats have chosen to settle down and start a family in the city. When relationships breakdown and parents separate, this can have a huge impact on the family dynamic. This is even more so when one parent chooses to relocate overseas either to return to his/her home country, for work opportunities or because of a new partner.

What happens to access arrangements when a parent relocates?

Upon divorce, orders will be made by the Hong Kong Court regarding child maintenance and access arrangements. Generally, the parent who does not have day-to-day care of the child (the ‘paying parent’) will have to pay child maintenance to the parent who does (the ‘receiving parent’). When separated parents continue to live in the same city, access with the child can be arranged fairly easily. However, this will be complicated if the paying parent relocates while the receiving parent and child continue to remain in Hong Kong.

Once the paying parent moves to a different country, it will be more difficult for the paying parent to maintain contact with the child and the paying parent’s access with the child will inevitably decrease. Flying back on forth between countries frequently to see the child may not be economically viable especially if the paying parent has moved very far such as to the United Kingdom or Canada. While social media and online modes of communication such as WhatsApp and Skype have made it easier for families to stay connected, the time difference may make it difficult to arrange a mutually agreeable time that fits into the child’s school schedule especially as the child grows older and has more extracurricular activities. Ideally, both parents should be able to agree to the relocation and access arrangements so they can be adjusted to accommodate the move.

Enforcement of child maintenance if the paying parent relocates and stops paying maintenance

The paying parent still has a duty to maintain their child regardless of how much time they get to spend with the child or what country they live in. However, if the paying parent stops paying maintenance after relocating, the receiving parent may encounter very real difficulties in trying to enforce an existing child maintenance order. The receiving parent will have to go to the Hong Kong Court to try to take enforcement action. The enforcement of Hong Kong maintenance orders overseas is governed by the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance. Whether a child maintenance order made in Hong Kong can be enforced overseas will depend on the country which the paying parent has moved to and whether it is a reciprocating country. Currently, only 15 countries and places are designated as reciprocating countries:-

United Kingdom
Bermuda
Manitoba, Canada
Saskatchewan, Canada
Ontario, Canada
Isle of Man
Australia
British Columbia, Canada
Brunei
Malaysia
New Zealand
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka

If the paying parent has moved to any of the above reciprocating countries, the receiving parent can apply in the Hong Kong Family Court for the child maintenance order to be sent to that country for enforcement.

Parents cannot enforce an arrangement made informally between them, it must be made an order of the court first. Moreover, the receiving parent will need to provide the overseas address at which the paying parent can be found. Enforcement can be further complicated if the paying parent moves to another country with the intention to avoid having to pay child maintenance and the receiving parent does not know where the paying parent is living.

Enforcement of maintenance orders overseas can be complicated. If you are seeking to enforce a maintenance order overseas, it is important to seek legal advice from a family lawyer.

Unmarried Parents and Child Maintenance

An increasing number of individuals in Hong Kong are choosing not to get married. For unmarried couples who have children, many are unaware of their legal rights for financial support should the unmarried couple split. Indeed, the financial obligations of unmarried parents after separation are not as clear cut and certainly not the same as married couples.

When unmarried couples separate, they are not entitled to claim for maintenance for themselves from their ex-partner. An unmarried parent may find him or herself without accommodation or adequate funds to maintain the same standard of living he or she enjoyed while together. The only form of financial support an unmarried parent can obtain is child maintenance under the Guardianship of Minors Ordinance.

What financial support can an unmarried parent claim for the benefit of the child?

It is always desirable for unmarried parents to try and reach an agreement on how to support their child upon separation. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, an unmarried parent may apply to the court for the following forms of financial support for the benefit of the child:-

Lump sum payment for the immediate and non-recurring needs of the child or for any liabilities or expenses previously incurred in relation to the child
This can cover the one-off needs of the child within the immediate future such as medical treatment, school uniforms and equipment.
Maintenance payments
Secured maintenance payments
Transfer of property
Settlement of property

In determining the amount to be paid for the benefit of the child, the court will consider what is reasonable, bearing in mind the paying parent’s financial situation. The Court will not force the paying parent to pay an amount he/she cannot afford. Moreover, when deciding what orders should be made, the court will have to keep in mind what is in best interests of the child.

How is child maintenance calculated for unmarried parents?

An unmarried parent can claim child maintenance to meet the reasonable needs of the child until the child reaches 18 or finishes full-time education. The child maintenance can cover expenses for the child’s normal activities and necessities such as food, clothes, medical/dental expenses, school fees, tuition/extracurricular activities, school buses and entertainment/presents. It can also cover the costs of hiring a domestic helper. The paying parent is usually required to pay the education expenses including tuition fees and school bus fees directly.

Crucially, the unmarried parent can seek child maintenance to cover rental which more often than not is the largest expense an unmarried parent will incur particularly in Hong Kong where property prices can reach unaffordable levels. However, all of this has to be within the means of the paying parent taking into account how much he/she earns per month and his/her personal monthly expenses.

In determining what amount of child maintenance is reasonable, the court will also consider the standard of living of the paying parent such as the size of his/her flat, whether he/she was a member of any clubs and how often he/she travelled. For instance, if the paying parent enjoys a comfortable standard of living, eating at good restaurants and going on frequent holidays overseas, the court will not expect the child to live on a shoestring budget.

An unmarried parent may also claim a ‘carer’s allowance’ to support him or herself in raising the child. This ‘carer’s allowance’ will cover the unmarried parent’s basic needs when looking after the child, in particular, when it limits his/her ability to work, and would increase the total amount of child maintenance payable to him/her. It can cover the expenses incurred to maintain the home such as utilities and other general household expenses. However, this allowance is usually a lot less than the maintenance a married parent would receive and the Court will take into account whether the unmarried parent can start working part-time or gradually return to full time work as the child grows older.

For many, the rights of an unmarried parent for financial support of children are not well understood. If you are considering making a claim for child maintenance as an unmarried parent it is important to seek legal advice from a family law professional.

Pet Custody and Crafting Pet Parenting Plans

In this modern world, there is a growing trend of couples choosing not to have children. This is especially the case when individuals are more inclined to focus on careers and other responsibilities. For those couples who still wish however, to add to their family unit, there may be an inclination to add furry friends to the family nucleus. As more households include pets, it is no surprise that pets can and do become a central focus when couples split in their divorce proceedings. So, who gets the pets in a divorce? What can courts do when “dividing” a pet in matrimonial proceedings and what part should you play in resolving this dispute regarding your family pet?

Legally, pets are not afforded the same rights as a child and whilst you may consider your pet to be your child, the courts will not see it that way. Instead the court will look at pets as property and so, since pets are considered property, there is no “custody” issue to be resolved. This does not mean you and your ex-spouse need not be creative when resolving disputes related to your pet.

Here are some things to consider:

Brainstorm a pet parenting plan: There is no limit to creativity when it comes to the idea of crafting a pet parenting plan. Brainstorm a pet parenting plan that allows you and your ex-spouse to have regular visitation with your family pet. Similar to a child custody and visitation agreement, you and your ex-spouse can agree on who pays for vet bills, who is responsible for visitation travel, and the date and time for regular visitation. Ask your solicitor to assist in formalizing a contract to crystalize the pet parenting plan that you and your ex-spouse have agreed to. It is important to remember that the courts have no power to make orders regarding pet custody since pets are considered “property.” The same custody rights that children are afforded are not the same with your pet.

When brainstorming a pet parenting plan, it is important that both you and your ex-spouse be mindful and sensitive towards the needs of a pet. You may want to discuss with your ex-spouse the time each of you spend with the pet, as the pet will certainly be bonded to one individual over the other. Who has more time to spend time with the family pet on a daily basis? Who travels frequently? Who takes the family pet to the vet and to pet playdates? Who has care and control of the children and does this affect a pet parenting plan as the children may be closely bonded to the family pet? These are all important considerations to be mindful of when brainstorming a pet parenting plan.

Pet Timeshare/Visitation Schedule: Similar to a child sharing plan, a pet parenting plan can outline the visitation times you and your ex-spouse will share your beloved pet. You and your ex-spouse can be creative in how you want to divide time with your pet, as long as you both agree to a suitable timeshare. Need some ideas? How about:

Every other weekend and one night a week
One week on, one week off
2-2-5-5 schedule: Parent 1 has the pet for two days. Parent 2 has the pet for the following two days. Parent 1 has the pet for the next five days. Parent 2 has the pet for the next five days and so on.

The above pet parenting schedules are just a few examples of how pet parenting can be divvied up between you and your ex-spouse. But ultimately, a pet parenting schedule should be crafted so it is tailored to what works for you and your ex-spouse. You both may also want to consider pet timeshare during major holidays, which can also include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, pet birthdays and long-weekends. What happens if your ex-spouse wants to move away to another city? Have an open discussion with your ex-spouse about who will get primary custody of the pet and consider allowing the other pet parent to have time with the pet for the entire summer. If your pet is involved in extra-curricular activities, the party that is responsible to take the pet to these activities should be memorialized in your agreement. These days, there are so many activities that pets can become involved in, including pet play dates with other pets and their owners or even “Yappy Hours” that allow pet parents to meet, mingle and drink with other pet parents and their pets. In the USA, they even have “Hoppy Hour” for those who are bunny parents and where bunnies can mingle and play including agility classes where bunnies learn to hop over obstacles and compete in races! Be creative, it is up to you both as dedicated pet parents!

Shared Costs For Your Pet: Another issue you and your ex-spouse may want to weave into your pet parenting plan is how costs will be shared between the two of you. Having a pet is expensive. There are vet bills to consider, in addition to costs for food, maintenance and grooming. If you have a dog, there may be dog walkers and doggy daycare costs to be considered too. There will also be transportation costs to calculate into the equation when you and your ex-spouse have to transport your pet to and fro from each household.

Assign The Ultimate Decision-Maker: Generally, when parents fight for child custody in Hong Kong in a divorce, one (sole) or both parents (jointly) will be assigned custody over the child, with one parent having care and control and the other parent access. Although pets are not treated with the same legal considerations as a child, this is something that you may want to discuss and consider when sharing a pet with your ex-spouse. For example, who will be the ultimate decision maker when your pet becomes ill? Who will make decisions related to your pet’s death, burial and costs associated with your pet’s death? These are all things you definitely should consider if you and ex-spouse are committed to sharing your pet after a divorce.

Finally, here a few more things to consider when crafting a pet parenting plan which focuses on the mental health of both yourself and your pet!

Talk to a Solicitor, Talk to Your Veterinarian: Pet custody is a real issue, especially now that pets are no longer considered just “pets” but are quickly becoming valuable members of a family. In the event that you establish a pet parenting plan, you may also want to consider consulting with your veterinarian so he or she can give you tips on how to make the transition easier for your pet now that your furry four-legged friend is being shuttled between two households. Like children, pets undoubtedly require a level of consistency between two households.

Consider Talking To A Therapist: In the event your ex-spouse has “custody” of your pet, you may want to consider speaking with a therapist. In a divorce, there is truly a sense of loss and a grieving process that each member of the family must go through. The grieving process may be magnified if you no longer have access to the family pet especially if a close bond was established with the pet during the marriage. It is for this reason why brainstorming a pet parenting plan may be something to consider, especially if it helps lessen the sense of loss you may feel and experience during the divorce process.

Remember to be creative when drafting a pet parenting plan. Like children, focus on what is in the best interests of your pet!

Domestic Violence in Turbulent Times

The United Nations recently urged action to combat the worldwide surge in domestic violence due to Covid-19 as many victims are now trapped in the same household as their perpetrators. According to The New York Times, domestic violence hotlines are lighting up with abuse reports and the safety of victims are at the forefront of this crisis and many health specialists state that it is no surprise that domestic violence cases rise when families are forced to spend more time together.

So, what can victims do when they are being terrorized at home during lockdown or when social distancing measures are in place and home is meant to be a “safe zone”?

First and foremost, it is important that victims feel safe enough to reach out to family and friends – finding a way to safely ask for help is the first step. A second step is to be able to remove oneself from the very space that causes anxiety, fear, intimidation and violence. Given the dynamics of the current global crisis with Covid-19, many families, friends, organizations and health specialists are providing additional services/assistance to those in need, including private chat groups to alert others you are in need of help.

In Hong Kong, social organizations are also on-hand and available to assist domestic violence victims including Harmony House which has a separate women, men and children hotline or the Social Welfare Department of Hong Kong which provides victim support for family violence.

For your reference, here are the linked websites for Harmony House and the Social Welfare Department of Hong Kong.

Harmony House: https://www.harmonyhousehk.org/eng
Social Welfare Department of Hong Kong: https://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_family/sub_listofserv/id_VSPforVFV/

Domestic violence victims can also seek assistance through the Family Court in Hong Kong and are eligible for protection under the Domestic and Cohabitation Relationships Ordinance (Cap. 189). Under this Ordinance, a victim can apply for an injunction order.

When you apply for an injunction order, you can ask the Court to:

Stop the offender from using violence or threat of violence against you or a child living with you; or
Exclude the offender from the matrimonial home regardless of ownership of the property and to prevent the offender from entering into the home.

These requests can be made by way of:

Non-molestation Order: asking the Family Court to restrain the offender from molesting you or restraining the offender from molesting your child. In Hong Kong, molestation is interpreted to cover use or threat of violence which can be widely interpreted by the Court.
Ouster Order: asking the Family Court to prohibit the offender from entering or remaining in the home, a specified part of the home or specified area whether or not you live in that area
Re-entry Order: asking the Family Court to permit you to enter and remain in the home or a specified part, or permit your child to enter and remain in the home.
Participation in a Programme Order: asking the Family Court to order that the offender participate in a Programme approved by and arranged by the Director of Social Welfare aimed at changing the attitude and behaviour
Variation or Suspension of Custody or Access Order: asking the Family Court to vary or suspend orders with respect to custody or access related to your child in your application.

If the Family Court issues an injunction order to prevent a perpetrator from molesting you and continued harassment, the order may last up to a maximum of 24 months and may be renewed if the Family Court sees fit. Once an injunction order has been made, the perpetrator must comply and if an authorization of arrest has been made by the Court, the perpetrator will be arrested by a police officer if the order is breached.

If you’re a victim requiring Family Court assistance, you can also contact the Family Court directly and even during Covid-19 times, the Family Court is hearing emergency applications so do not be apprehensive about seeking help from the Family Court.

Your application can be filed with The Family Court Registry which is located at:

M2, Wanchai Law Courts, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Hong Kong

Telephone: 852 2840 1218

Fax: 852 2523 9170

Email: familycourt@judiciary.hk

To apply for an injunction in Hong Kong, you must fill out the following:

An Application
An Ex-Parte Summons which is an emergency application where there is imminent risk of harm
A supporting affidavit where you outline what actually occurred and it is signed under oath
A draft order containing the orders or remedies you are seeking
An affidavit of personal service to be filed by the server once personal service has been accomplished

When filing your application for an injunction and you prepare an affidavit, be sure to provide as much detail as possible about the molestation and other relevant information including any imminent harm you are in fear of. The more detailed, the better so the Family Court can issue the appropriate relief based on the information you provide.

Finally, it is important to note that domestic violence does not have to only be characterized by physical abuse, but can also include verbal and psychological abuse. If you believe you are a victim of domestic abuse, please reach out to family, friends, domestic violence assistance organizations or the police at 999 so you can get the help you need during these turbulent times.

Round-Up of Divorce News

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