Gallagher & Gomez

In the matter of *Gallagher & Gomez*, heard before Tree J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, B and C. The specific nature of the dispute leading to this hearing is not detailed, but the court's final orders indicate a significant shift in the children's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and surname.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children, B and C, in relation to their living arrangements, parental responsibility for major long-term decisions, contact with their father, and their surname. The court also considered the role and discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Tree J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for major long-term decisions concerning the children, and the children were ordered to live with the mother. Crucially, the court ordered that the children have no contact with the father. Furthermore, it was declared to be in the children's best interests that their surname be changed to Gomez, with the formal record to be amended accordingly under Queensland law. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged with thanks, effective upon the expiration of the appeal period or the determination of any appeal. All other extant applications were dismissed, and the matter was removed from the active list.