BEALES & ZANG

In the matter of BEALES & ZANG, Judge Curtain of the Family Court of Australia considered parenting, property, spousal maintenance, and child support issues between the parties. The dispute arose following a marriage of less than five years, with a total cohabitation period of approximately 12 months. The parties have a young child, and while both possess reasonable parenting skills, the mother has limited English and employment skills, and the father was initially more available. Ultimately, the court found that the mother had made a substantial, not token, contribution to the relationship, specifically under section 79(4)(c) of the *Family Law Act 1975*.

The court was required to determine appropriate parenting orders, including the allocation of parental responsibility and the time the child would spend with each parent. Additionally, the court had to make orders regarding the division of property, spousal maintenance, and child support obligations, taking into account the specific circumstances of the parties, including their financial positions and the child's needs. The court also considered the mother's limited English and employment skills in its determination of the parenting and financial arrangements.

Judge Curtain ordered that prior parenting orders be discharged, with the father and mother sharing equal parental responsibility for the child. The parenting arrangements were structured to evolve as the child progressed through school, with specific provisions for school terms and holidays, including alternating weekends and week-about arrangements. The court also made property orders requiring the husband to pay the wife a sum of $395,000, in addition to a prior payment, and ordered the husband to pay weekly spousal maintenance until the property settlement was finalised. Child support orders stipulated that the husband would be responsible for all reasonable educational and medical expenses for the child.