Ebbage & Ebbage

In *Ebbage & Ebbage*, the parties were the applicant, Ms. Ebbage, and the respondent, Mr. Ebbage. The dispute concerned the division of property following the breakdown of their marriage. The matter came before Warnick J in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issues before the court were the appropriate valuation of certain assets, specifically a property and a business, and the weight to be given to non-financial contributions made by each party to the marriage. The court was also required to consider the future needs of each party in determining a just and equitable division of the matrimonial assets.

Warnick J applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), including sections 75 and 79, which govern property adjustment. The court considered various factors such as the length of the marriage, the contributions of each party (both financial and non-financial), the age and health of the parties, and their respective financial resources and earning capacities. The valuation of the property and business was determined by reference to expert evidence presented to the court. The court ultimately found that a significant adjustment was warranted in favour of Ms. Ebbage, acknowledging her substantial non-financial contributions and her greater future needs.