Gerber & Gerber

This matter concerned parenting orders for two children, L and J, with the parties being the parents. The dispute revolved around the arrangements for the children, particularly concerning parental responsibility and living arrangements for J. The decision was made by Justice Ryan.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders for the children, specifically addressing issues of equal shared parental responsibility, the primary caregiver for J, and the specific time J would spend with each parent. The court also had to consider the costs associated with an Independent Children's Lawyer.

Justice Ryan discharged all prior parenting orders for L and J, except for those made by consent on 17 March 2009. The court ordered equal shared parental responsibility for J, with the mother having sole responsibility for educational decisions. J was to live with the mother, with specific provisions for J to spend time with the father, including alternate weekends, mid-week time, holiday periods, and special occasions. The father's time with J was suspended on Mother's Day weekends and for a specific period around Christmas. The court also ordered that each parent pay half the costs of the Independent Children's Lawyer, payable within 28 days of final property orders. The orders included a fact sheet detailing obligations, consequences of contravention, and assistance resources, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975*.