Forsberg and Forsberg (Child support)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the dispute between Mr. Forsberg and Ms. Forsberg concerning child support payments. The core of the disagreement revolved around the percentage of care each parent provided for their child, which directly impacts the child support assessment. The Tribunal was tasked with reviewing a decision made by the Registrar of the Child Support Agency.

The primary legal issues before the Tribunal were whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, and consequently, whether the existing percentage of care determinations should be revoked and new ones made. Additionally, the Tribunal had to determine if there were special circumstances that prevented Mr. Forsberg from lodging his objection within the prescribed time limit.

The Tribunal found that there had indeed been a change in the likely pattern of care. It reasoned that the previous care arrangements were no longer reflective of the current reality. Furthermore, the Tribunal was satisfied that special circumstances existed which justified accepting Mr. Forsberg's objection outside the usual time frame. This led the Tribunal to set aside the Registrar's decision and substitute it with its own determination regarding the percentage of care.