Findlay and Boa

In *Findlay and Boa*, Brown J of the Family Court of Australia considered parenting orders concerning a child born in October 2000. The proceedings involved an application by the husband filed on 18 October 2007, to which the wife was required to file a response. The court was tasked with determining the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, including issues of parental responsibility and the child's living arrangements and time spent with each parent.

The central legal issues before the court were the nature and extent of parental responsibility, and the specific arrangements for the child's residence and time with each parent. The court also had to consider the implications of a report by Mr. V dated 21 January 2008, and the parties' agreement on certain matters, such as the prohibition of exposing the child to animal fighting and the non-admission of the necessity for such notations by the wife.

Brown J ordered that paragraphs (2) to (4) of previous orders made on 25 October 2007 be discharged. The court then made new orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility for the child. The child was to live with the husband, and the wife was granted specific time with the child during school terms and holidays, including alternate weekends and Wednesdays, and half of all school holidays. The wife was also permitted to attend school events. The court noted agreements between the parties regarding discipline and illegal activities, and a potential future consideration of relocation arrangements. The applications for final parenting orders were referred for directions for trial.