Forlan and Forlan and Anor

In the matter of *Forlan and Forlan and Anor*, Berman J considered an application for interim spousal maintenance and ancillary relief in family law proceedings. The dispute involved complex financial arrangements between the parties and associated companies, specifically the F Group and I Pty Ltd.

The court was required to determine the appropriate level of interim spousal maintenance for the wife, and to make orders concerning the financial affairs of I Pty Ltd and its relationship with the F Group. Key issues included the financial viability of the F Group, the utilisation of I Pty Ltd's assets for the benefit of the group, I Pty Ltd's potential obligations regarding group liabilities, the disbursement of sale proceeds from I Pty Ltd's plant and equipment, and the intercompany relationships. The court also considered the need for injunctive relief to preserve assets and ensure transparency in financial dealings.

Berman J ordered the husband to pay interim spousal maintenance of $600 per week to the wife. The court further directed the parties to jointly instruct a single expert forensic accountant to report on various financial matters concerning the F Group and I Pty Ltd, with the costs to be borne by I Pty Ltd. Injunctions were granted restraining the husband from removing the wife as a director of I Pty Ltd, and regulating the sale and disposition of assets and proceeds of sale from I Pty Ltd. The husband was also restrained from operating the I Pty Ltd bank account without the wife's consent, and orders were made regarding the reimbursement of legal costs between the parties' solicitors.