Alexander and Alexander

This matter concerned orders made by Bell J in relation to the parental responsibility and time arrangements for three children. The dispute involved the Father and the Mother, who sought to establish or vary existing orders concerning the children's welfare and living arrangements.

The court was required to determine the nature and extent of parental responsibility for major long-term issues, the arrangements for the children's daily care, welfare, and development, and the specific times the children were to spend with each parent. Additionally, the court addressed provisions for communication, the resolution of future disputes, and the disclosure of information regarding the children's health and education.

Bell J ordered that the Father and Mother were to have equal shared parental responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the children. The Mother was to be responsible for the children's daily care when they lived with her, and the Father was to have the same responsibility when the children were with him. The children were ordered to live with the Mother. Specific provisions were made for the children to spend time with the Father, including arrangements for weekends and school holidays, with varying cost-sharing arrangements depending on the Father's location. The orders also stipulated how the parents were to consult on decisions, keep each other informed about the children's health and education, and resolve future disputes, including the use of a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. The Mother was ordered to pay the Father's costs of and incidental to the hearing on 4 March 2009.