Boulder and Wood

In the matter of *Boulder and Wood*, Bell J determined the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for two children, J and C. The dispute concerned the children's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the practical arrangements for the father's time with the children, including communication and changeovers.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the children, the nature and extent of parental responsibility to be shared between the mother and father, and the specific terms for the father's time with the children. Additionally, the court needed to establish mechanisms for communication and consultation between the parents regarding decisions affecting the children, and to address the need for therapeutic intervention to improve parental communication and facilitate the children's transition between households.

Bell J ordered that the children live with the mother and that both parents have equal shared parental responsibility for their education, religious and cultural upbringing, health, names, and significant changes to living arrangements. The court stipulated detailed provisions for the father's time with the children, including specific weekend and holiday arrangements, and established a framework for consultation and joint decision-making. To facilitate improved communication and the children's adjustment, the court ordered both parents to engage with a family therapist, with liberty granted for solicitors to release relevant expert reports to the therapist. Further orders addressed communication protocols, including the use of a communication booklet, and the exchange of information regarding the children's schooling and healthcare providers. The proceedings were adjourned for an updated report from a family consultant or psychiatrist.