Awford and Lightbody (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by Awford against a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would necessitate a reassessment of the registered child support assessment.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine whether the Registrar’s decision, which affirmed the existing percentage of care, was correct. This involved an assessment of whether the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and ongoing change to the established pattern of care that would justify altering the registered assessment.

The court considered the evidence presented by Awford, which alleged a change in the pattern of care. However, the court found that the evidence did not establish a sufficiently significant or lasting alteration to the likely pattern of care that would warrant a departure from the existing assessment. The court applied the principles governing changes to child support assessments, focusing on the need for a substantial and ongoing shift in care arrangements rather than temporary or minor fluctuations. The Registrar's decision was affirmed.