Brower and Dearborn (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal from a decision of the Child Support Registrar regarding the percentage of care arrangements for two children. The appellant, Brower, sought to challenge the Registrar's determination that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, which led to the revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. Dearborn, the respondent, was the other parent involved in the dispute.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the Registrar had erred in finding that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care, and consequently, whether the revocation of the existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones were justified. The court also considered whether the appellant had taken reasonable action to maintain the existing percentage of care, and whether an interim period should apply to the new determinations.

The court affirmed the decision of the Registrar. It found that the evidence supported the conclusion that there had been a significant change to the likely pattern of care, specifically a reduction in the appellant's care. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning changes to care arrangements and the Registrar's powers to revoke and make new determinations. The court was satisfied that the Registrar had acted within her powers and that the appellant had not demonstrated that she had taken reasonable action to maintain the previous level of care. The court also considered the application of an interim period and found it appropriate in the circumstances.