Collier and Ellington

In the matter of Collier and Ellington, heard by Judge Burchardt, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for three children, X, Y, and Z. The court was required to make orders regarding the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibility.

The court was tasked with determining the specific orders for parental responsibility, the children's primary residences, and the schedule for time spent with the non-resident parent, including weekends, school holidays, and special occasions like Easter and Mother's/Father's Day. Additionally, the court considered the need for injunctions regarding corporal punishment, the requirement for parents to attend relationship counselling, and the discharge of an Independent Children's Lawyer.

Judge Burchardt ordered that the father have sole parental responsibility for X and Y, while the mother have sole parental responsibility for Z. Both parents were ordered to notify each other of significant long-term decisions concerning the children's health and education. Specific, detailed schedules were established for X and Y to live with the father and spend time with the mother, and for Z to live with the mother and spend time with the father, including provisions for alternate weekends, school holidays, and Easter. The orders also included provisions for Mother's Day and Father's Day weekends, specified changeover locations, an injunction against corporal punishment, and a requirement for both parents to attend relationship counselling. The appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.