Vanness Wu and Arissa Cheo are officially divorced
AFTER a roller-coaster relationship and then tying the knot in 2013, Vanness Wu and Arissa Cheo were believed to have finally ironed out their differences. Within a year, however, the couple’s relationship already showed inconspicuous signs of deterioration. They often posted not-so-subtle jabs at one another on social media, airing their dirty laundry.
It was alleged that Vanness had suggested divorce in early 2018, only to be turned down by Arissa, who held on to hope that they would eventually work through their problems. The first time Vanness served Arissa divorce papers, it cited that the couple has lived separately for three years.
However, Arissa noted that the papers noted that they have been living separately since the end of 2016, which did not sufficiently meet the three-year separation requirement, and refused the papers.
The second time Vanness served Arissa divorce papers, it cited that she was not supportive of his career.
However, Arissa often accompanied Vanness on trips for work. It was only when their marital problems arose and Vanness did not share his work locations with her that she was unable to accompany him. Again, she refused the divorce papers.
Their rocky relationship finally came to an end in June 2018 when Arissa came to terms with their failed marriage and issued a statement confirming the divorce. The divorce was finalised in December 2018.
Developed and mirroring the social setting of the 1960s, Singapore’s divorce laws work in favour of the women. Upon divorce, it requires that the man pay his ex-wife alimony until she remarries. But the woman doesn’t have to pay for the man’s support, even if she is richer.
However, if the man is unable to work because of physical or mental disabilities, he can ask the woman for spousal maintenance.
It usually takes three to four years to finalize a divorce in Singapore, and in many cases even a longer period of time. Many people finally decide to not get divorced because the process takes so long.
This may be the reason why Vanness and Arissa also took such a long time to officially get divorced, although they have been living separately for some time.