ACKLAND & ACKLAND

In the matter of ACKLAND & ACKLAND, Judge Scarlett considered parenting, property, and spousal maintenance issues between the applicant husband and respondent wife. The primary dispute concerned parenting orders for their fifteen-year-old daughter, including whether a child-inclusive dispute resolution conference was appropriate given the daughter's strained relationship with her father. Property matters involved applications for exclusive occupation of the former matrimonial home and another property, while spousal maintenance was also addressed.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, specifically whether to order equal shared parental responsibility and how the child's time would be spent with each parent, considering the child's wishes. Additionally, the court needed to decide on injunctions regarding the exclusive occupation of two properties and the operation of a company. The issue of spousal maintenance for a limited period was also before the court.

Judge Scarlett made orders by consent in relation to property, granting the respondent wife exclusive occupation of the former matrimonial home and the applicant husband exclusive occupation of another property, with each party responsible for outgoings on their respective residences. Both parties were restrained from encumbering or borrowing against these properties. The court also ordered the applicant husband to pay the respondent wife spousal maintenance of $250 per week for six months. Regarding parenting, the court ordered equal shared parental responsibility for the child, with the child to live with the respondent wife and spend time with the applicant husband according to her wishes. A child-inclusive dispute resolution conference was ordered, with the court noting the provisions of sections 11F and 11C of the *Family Law Act 1975*. Further orders addressed the operation of a company and the appointment of an accountant to advise on taxation implications of director's loans.