A widow and her fourth son have agreed to an undisclosed settlement with his three brothers on Wednesday (1 November) after both initiated a legal case against the trio over his mother’s share in three properties and a sum of $200,000 owed to her by her late husband, reported ChannelNewsAsia.
“The case is already over, so let bygones be bygones. At least my mother’s expenses are covered, and if she’s happy, it’s okay,” said 55-year-old co-plaintiff Lim Chin Hwa.
In a trial that started on Tuesday (31 October), 89-year-old Tan Lwee, who lives with her fourth son, wanted to obtain a court order to dispose three properties in Jurong, Serangoon and Teck Whye that she co-owns and get her rightful share in the proceeds.
Court documents revealed that the illiterate mother of eight had not worked since 1997 and the rental income from these properties would have been her only source of income.
However, she argued that she had not received her share in rent from these properties, even though she needs to pay income tax per year.
Meanwhile, the defendants countered that their mother’s name was only included in the titles during the purchase of the properties for the sake of “convenience”. The respondents comprise youngest son Chin Sin, 46, second son Lim Chin Hong, 59, and eldest son Lim Chin Keng, who is in his early 60s.
In addition, the wheelchair-bound widow sought a court order to take possession of a $200,000 sum held in a joint account with her fourth and youngest son, whose signatures are needed for any withdrawals.
But she claimed Chin Sin refused to ink the withdrawal slips even though he knew that that money is solely intended for her.
Previously, Tan began divorce proceedings against her late husband in 2010 after she found out he was having an illicit affair with their maid. She discontinued the case in 2011 after he offered $200,000 as reparation. He later died in 2014.
This article was edited by Keshia Faculin.
