Goffe and Goffe (Child support)

The matter of *Goffe and Goffe* concerned a dispute over child support payments, brought before the court for review. The central issue revolved around the percentage of care attributed to each parent and whether there had been a material change to the likely pattern of care that would warrant an adjustment to the existing child support assessment.

The court was required to determine whether the Registrar's decision regarding the percentage of care was correct. Specifically, it needed to assess if the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and ongoing alteration in the established care arrangements for the child, such that the previous assessment was no longer reflective of the reality of the child's living situation.

In reaching its decision, the court considered the evidence relating to the actual care arrangements and the projected future care arrangements. It applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on the definition of a "change in the likely pattern of care" and the threshold required to justify a departure from the existing assessment. The court found that the evidence did not establish a sufficient change to warrant altering the Registrar's decision. The decision under review was affirmed.