Conrad and Conrad (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Conrad, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, and whether the Registrar had appropriately considered the existing court order regarding daytime care when making a new percentage of care determination.

The court was required to determine two primary legal issues: first, whether the Registrar erred in finding that there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child; and second, whether the Registrar was entitled to consider the daytime care arrangements stipulated in a court order when assessing the percentage of care.

In reaching its decision, the court affirmed the Registrar's finding that a change in the likely pattern of care had occurred. The court reasoned that the Registrar was entitled to consider the practical reality of the care arrangements, including the number of nights the child spent with each parent, even where a court order specified daytime care. The court held that the Registrar's approach was consistent with the legislative intent to reflect the actual and likely future care arrangements. Consequently, the existing percentage of care determinations were revoked, and new determinations were made.