Local comedienne Shirli Ling, aged 36, has shared her journey and challenges as a mother of five, which includes the decision to legally adopt her own 11-year-old daughter. Ling, who also proudly carries the title of grandmother, has revealed that formal adoption is necessary to ensure her daughter receives equal rights to inheritance and custody as her siblings. This revelation comes after a conversation with her lawyers shed light on the intricacies of Singapore's inheritance and child custody laws.
Shirli Ling is currently married, but her past as a single unwed mother has left her with invaluable insights into the legal hurdles faced by parents in similar circumstances. The process of adopting her own daughter would cost approximately $3,000, a step she is determined to take once she resolves financial losses incurred from the closure of her food and beverage stalls. Ling's experience underscores the challenges that single mothers in Singapore face, particularly regarding the legal standing of their children born out of wedlock.
Reflecting on the recent passing of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, Ling expressed her sadness over the loss of an idol from her youth. Barbie Hsu's situation, where custody of her children defaults to their biological father due to the lack of legal adoption by her current spouse, has prompted Ling to consider the future welfare of her own children.
"Barbie's recent death is very sad as she was so young and she was our childhood idol," said Shirli Ling.
"Based on news reports I read, although she remarried, her current husband (Korean DJ Koo Jun-yup) didn't legally adopt the children she had with her former spouse. So now that she has passed on, the custody will automatically be held by their biological father," she added.
Ling's understanding of inheritance laws highlights a critical issue; illegitimate children often have a lower priority in receiving their parents' assets. While single mothers are not required to adopt their own children to access government benefits and schemes, the adoption ensures equal footing in inheritance matters.
"Even though I don't have many assets now, I will have a lot," Ling noted optimistically.
"In the event that I pass on in the future and I did not legally adopt my daughter, if I've a lot of assets and my kids fight for my money, my daughter may lose out," she reflected.
Ling's decision to proceed with formal adoption stems from her desire to protect her daughter's rights. It is a poignant reminder of the legal complexities faced by families navigating inheritance and custody laws.
"do a legal document to adopt my own daughter," Ling emphasized.
Leave a Reply