Akrad & Akrad

In the matter of Akrad & Akrad, Bender J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made orders concerning parenting and property division between the Applicant Mother and the Respondent Father. The dispute arose following the parties' separation in August 2018 and subsequent divorce in November 2019. The court was required to determine the future parental responsibility and living arrangements for the parties' three younger children, X, Y, and Z, and to make declarations regarding the beneficial ownership of various properties and other assets.

The court was tasked with determining the appropriate parenting orders, including sole parental responsibility for the children, their living arrangements, and the extent of any contact with the Father, given the children's minimal interaction with him for over 12 months. In relation to property, the court was required to declare the full and beneficial ownership of several properties, including those at B Street, D1 and D2 Street, and the sale proceeds of F Street, as well as funds in bank accounts and superannuation entitlements. The court also needed to determine which party would retain specific household possessions, a motor vehicle, and shares.

Bender J ordered that the Applicant Mother have sole parental responsibility for the children X, Y, and Z, and that they live with her. Crucially, the court ordered that the children have no time or communication with the Father and restrained the Father from attending within 500 meters of the children's school. Regarding property, the court declared the Applicant Mother to be the sole beneficial owner of the B Street property, the D1 and D2 Street properties, the sale proceeds of the F Street property, funds in her CBA Smart Access Account, and her Super Fund H entitlements. The Respondent Father was ordered to retain specific household possessions, his motor vehicle, and his shares. Each party was to be solely entitled to other property in their possession, with provisions for indemnifying each other against liabilities.