Abramov & Laderman

In the matter of *Abramov & Laderman*, heard by McNab J, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for a child born in 2017. The parties, Mr. Abramov (the Father) and Ms. Laderman (the Mother), had separated in March 2017. Following previous mediations and interim orders, the court was tasked with determining final parenting orders, considering recommendations from a family consultant and proposals from both parents.

The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for the child's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibility. Key issues included the division of time between the parents, particularly overnight stays and holiday arrangements, and the extent to which the Father should be involved in the child's extracurricular activities, specifically gym training. The court also had to consider the impact of any changes on the child, the relationship between the child and each parent, and each parent's capacity to provide for the child's needs.

McNab J's reasoning was heavily influenced by the family consultant's report and oral evidence. The court adopted the family consultant's recommendations regarding the child's living arrangements and time spent with the Father, incorporating an amalgamation of the parties' proposed orders where they aligned with the consultant's advice and did not conflict. The court noted an incident where the child was injured by a power tool, but found it to be an accident for which the Father was remorseful and had addressed. The court also made specific orders regarding the Father's involvement in gym activities, as agreed by the parties but unable to be resolved between them.

The court made orders reflecting equal shared parental responsibility, with the child to live with the Mother. Detailed provisions were made for the child to spend time with the Father, including specific schedules for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, and public holidays, with these arrangements evolving as the child aged. The Father was authorised to receive information from the child's educational and medical providers, and was permitted to attend certain activities. Injunctions were imposed restraining both parents from denigrating each other in the child's presence, and further restraints were placed on the Father regarding the operation of power tools and his involvement in the child's gym training without the Mother's written consent. Both parties were ordered to undertake a post-separation parenting course.