Athan and Athan

In the matter of *Athan and Athan*, heard by Rees J, the court was required to make orders concerning property settlement and spousal maintenance. The dispute involved the division of assets and ongoing financial support between the husband and wife.

The primary legal issues before the court were the appropriate quantum of a lump sum payment for partial property settlement, the terms of exclusive occupation of the family home, the allocation of responsibility for ongoing expenses related to the property, and the quantum of spousal maintenance to be paid by the husband to the wife. The court also considered its power to make orders for the payment of expenses and spousal maintenance under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

Rees J ordered that the husband pay the wife $300,000 as partial property settlement. The wife was granted exclusive occupation of the matrimonial home for 14 days, with the husband restrained from entering the property without her consent. Furthermore, pursuant to section 114(1)(e) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), the husband was ordered to pay all mortgage repayments, council and water rates, insurance premiums, and the costs of necessary repairs and maintenance for the property. The husband was also ordered to pay the wife $1,700 per week in spousal maintenance, in addition to her mobile telephone account, motor vehicle lease payments, and private health insurance premiums.