About
Kim (Tan Siew Kim) has more than 20 years’ experience as a family lawyer.
During her long career in family law, Kim has represented clients of different backgrounds in divorces, and has experience helping them through difficult periods. She specialises in all aspects of contentious family matters and has a wide range of litigation experience, having conducted proceedings regularly in the State Courts (including the Family and Juvenile Courts), the High Court of Singapore and the Court of Appeal.
Kim’s practice stands out for providing the personal touch in assisting clients through this difficult period of time. She personally guides her clients through each stage of the divorce process.
In addition to her practice, while at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing, Kim conducted private client seminars on family disputes for high net worth families. She has also advised local companies, major banks, MNCs and various statutory boards and liaised with counsel from other jurisdictions for both corporate and family matters.
Kim is regularly featured in local magazines and the press, notably for her views and comments on family matters.
Kim was head of the family law practice at Lee and Lee, and a senior family lawyer at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing. She is currently a consultant with Sterling Law Corporation.
Reviews (15)
Featured Services
Divorce
Kim Tan has had more than 20 years of divorce experience in assisting clients, primarily professionals, expatriates, and high networth individuals, through this difficult period in their lives. Contentious divorce cases are her speciality, and her practice stands out for the highly-personal service extended to each and every client. Kim is well-versed in issues such as cross-border disputes over child custody and matrimonial assets. She personally guides her clients through each stage of the divorce process, making use of her vast experience handling contentious divorces.
Relevant reported cases:
VQB And VQC [2021] SGHCF 5
Kim represented the Respondent (the husband) in both the District Court and Family Division of the High Court. The Appellant argued that she signed the Draft Consent Order under duress and claimed that the Respondent and her did not live separate and apart for three years, and finally, that the Respondent had agreed to withdraw the divorce proceedings and gave her the impression that they had been withdrawn. The Court stated that an Interim Judgment may be set aside before the Final Judgment is made, but once the Final Judgment is made, the marriage is at a permanent end. It cannot be reinstated although it may be renewed. Based on all the compelling evidence produced by the Respondent, the High Court declined to grant the Appellant the orders sought and dismissed the appeal with costs granted in favour of the Respondent.
BHN v BHO [2013] SGHC 91
Kim Tan represented the husband in the division of matrimonial property where both spouses were gainfully employed and were married for over 20 years with two children; The husband received 60% of the matrimonial assets.
JQ v JR [2005] SGDC 93
Kim Tan assisted her client, who was the father, in obtaining interim access to the child. The mother had made unilateral arrangements for the child without giving reasonable notice to the father, impeding the father’s access period. The Court held that the father was successful on his application for overnight access and the mother was ordered to attend a parenting workshop that she had to bear the costs for. Subsequently, Kim successfully obtained care and control for the father.
Lee Kok Yong v Lee Guek Hua (alias Li Yuehua) [2007] SGHC 26
Kim Tan's client was the wife, whose husband had appealed to vary an order of the court, regarding the division of matrimonial assets and the payment of lump sum maintenance of $20,000. The High Court held that as the order of court for the division of the matrimonial property in the present case is not a continuing order, the question of a variation does not arise. As for the lump sum payment, the appellant was in no position to assert that the lump sum payment should be varied as he blatantly refused to make the payment. The High Court dismissed the husband’s appeals with costs.
TQ v TR [2007] 3 SLR(R) 719; [2007] SGHC 106
This was the first case in Singapore recognising the validity of a prenuptial agreement made abroad. Kim Tan's client was a Dutch husband, who had made a pre-nuptial agreement with his Swedish wife in the Netherlands. They moved to Singapore where he found employment.The Court held that Singapore Courts should accord “significant weight” to the terms of a prenuptial agreement between foreign nationals that is governed by and valid according to the foreign law, unless its terms violate the public policy of Singapore.
Goh Ah Teck v Yeo Bee Luan [2001] SGHC 92
Kim Tan's client was the wife, who had been awarded maintenance of $300 for herself and $1,000 to each of the two children. The husband appealed against the order on the grounds that the District Judge had over- estimated his income, the findings of the monthly expenses of the respondent was wrong and lastly, the respondent was given a higher standard of living than she had before the breakdown of marriage. The appeal was dismissed.
Lim Kok Sian Brandon v Ong Ai Geok [2004] SGDC 248
Kim Tan represented the wife in a case that dealt with the principles governing the determination of the quantum of maintenance for a former wife. The wife was initially awarded a much lower sum of maintenance - monthly maintenance of $1,895 for four months and $895 for the next 31 months. She appealed against the decision of the District Court and the appeal was allowed. The Petitioner was ordered to pay the respondent maintenance at $3,500 per month for three years and thereafter at $2,500 per month. This was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Pre-Nuptial Agreement
As part of her family practice, Kim assists her clients in drafting pre-nuptial agreements. Her experience in family law and divorce enables her to advise clients on the important issues of the pre-nuptial agreement based on their circumstances.
Relevant Reported Case:
TQ v TR [2007] 3 SLR(R) 719; [2007] SGHC 106
This was the first case in Singapore recognising the validity of a prenuptial agreement made abroad. Kim Tan's client was a Dutch husband, who had made a pre-nuptial agreement with his Swedish wife in the Netherlands. They moved to Singapore where he found employment. The Court held that Singapore Courts should accord “significant weight” to the terms of a prenuptial agreement between foreign nationals that is governed by and valid according to the foreign law, unless its terms violate the public policy of Singapore.
Media & Publications
Media Features
- Steps to take if you suspect your spouse is cheating – SingaporeLegalAdvice.com
- “In divorce cases, child representatives a double-edged sword, say experts” – Today
- “The most depressing part of family law” – The New Paper
- “Wronged men less likely to end marriage” – Straits Times
- “Would you snoop on your boyfriend’s phone while he’s asleep?” – Her World magazine
Services & Fees
Fees
Fee estimate after evaluation of enquiry.
Siew Kim is very experienced and professional in her work. When I first met her in her office, I couldn’t stop myself from crying my eyes out. She was very patient and listened to my failed marriage story. She was so experienced that after hearing my first few sentences, she concluded that my ex-husband has another woman outside. I was still in denial that he will not do that to me. Straight away she entered a mobile number on my hp and asked me to engage this experienced PI to follow up on my case in order for me to “wake up” and stop deceiving myself further. To cut the story short, the verdict is out and she has guessed correctly. Only very experienced lawyer can seen through this whole plot from my ex-husband. Although she is very busy and super tight with her schedule, she never failed to make a point to see me and give me advices, guiding me step by step on how to approach my ex-husband and talk terms with him. She is a god sent to me to help me go through such a difficult period; holding my hands and walking through this distressing stage. I’m grateful to her and her team for expediting my case and checking on me now and then. I will not forget her kindness and will continue to keep in touch with her even after my divorce case is over. In a good way, as a dear friend. Thank you, Siew Kim. May your new office flourish endlessly. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Tan Siew Kim was recommended by a mutual friend. I am happy that it turned out to be one the best decision I ever made in my life.
In all our meetings, Siew Kim always had a listening ear. She would seek first to understand your issue and backgrounds of events before proposing next step. As Siew Kim and myself come from different backgound and experience, it is normal of me to hold different viewpoints. She would patiently explain the rationale behind each differing viewpoints. I got more confidence every times after speaking with her.
During the trial prrocess, she fought relentlessly, argued wisely and staged intelligently. She was very composed, confident and steadfast during the whole trial process. We won the court case and I am grateful to her and her team.
Siew Kim is patient and very professional. Strong recommendation from me if you are going through divorce process with your spouse.
This review is a bit overdue for Ms Tan. I engaged her in December 2021 to help me with my PPO and divorce as my ex husband is a very difficult and temperamental person. Ms Tan is very experienced and patient. She will listen attentively to your plight and provides sound advises on what steps to take next. Ms Tan is always contactable even though it’s very late at night she will still respond to your calls or messages. She also prepares me well for my mediation sessions with food and backup plans within my acceptable limits, should our proposed plans fail. As such, everything is within our control and expectations. To add on, Ms Tan has a very strong and responsible team who supports and responds effectively and efficiently to the other party’s demands.
Even after my case ended, Ms Tan still keeps in contact with me and provides advice for any help I require. I’m not sure about other lawyers but for Ms Tan she doesn’t mind being kept in the loop each time I converse with my ex husband (who is very good at spinning stories) through emails. I’m very grateful to ms Tan and highly recommend her for any family law matters.
I was searching for a lawyer and came across Ms Tan Siew Kim. I read her past cases that she did and I was facing a crisis on my case and need someone to bring me out of this long legal battle.
After meeting her in person and Mr Kenneth, I was rest assured that they are ones who will be able to get me out of my long legal battle. They provided me good guidance and support thru my problematic case.
And the most important is that the support rendered was not only during office hours but also after and on weekends with quick response from them. They are very warm, friendly and respectful to your needs of the case with priority and time given in person with detailed explanation of what’s to be expected.
Good law firm with good and dedicated team of lawyers headed by well experienced lawyer like Ms Tan.