Chernoff and Ciesielski (Child support)

The case of *Chernoff and Ciesielski* concerned a dispute over child support payments. The applicant, Chernoff, sought to have the child support assessment varied, arguing that there had been a change in the likely pattern of care for the child. The respondent, Ciesielski, opposed this application. The matter came before Judicial Officer Thomson M for review.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether a change in the likely pattern of care had occurred, and consequently, whether a child support terminating event had taken place. The court was required to assess the evidence presented by both parties regarding the care arrangements for the child and determine if these arrangements met the threshold for a variation or termination of the existing child support assessment.

Judicial Officer Thomson M considered the evidence in relation to the care arrangements and the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*. The court found that the evidence did not establish a change in the likely pattern of care sufficient to trigger a terminating event. Accordingly, the decision under review was set aside and substituted with a new decision.