Cullen and Cullen

This matter came before Forrest J concerning parenting orders for two children, B and C. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility and the arrangements for the children's time with each parent.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders, specifically addressing issues of equal shared parental responsibility for major long-term issues, the children's living arrangements, and the specific times and conditions for the children to spend with each parent. The court also needed to consider provisions for communication between the children and each parent, the exchange of information regarding the children's health and education, and mechanisms for resolving future disputes.

Forrest J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders that established equal shared parental responsibility for major long-term issues, with the exception of certain health and education decisions for child C, where the mother was granted sole responsibility subject to specific consultation requirements with the father. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with detailed provisions for their time spent with the father, including during school terms, school holidays, and on special days. The orders also stipulated communication protocols, information sharing requirements, and a dispute resolution process involving family dispute resolution practitioners.