GOULD & GOULD

In the matter of GOULD & GOULD, heard by Judge Mercuri, the court considered parenting and property disputes between the mother and father. The parenting dispute involved allegations of family violence, a lack of communication between the parties, and whether the father posed an unacceptable risk to the children, necessitating supervision of his time with them by the paternal grandmother. The property dispute concerned alleged loans from the husband's family, an adjustment for the future needs of the primary carer, and contributions made by each party.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, specifically regarding parental responsibility and the children's living arrangements, while assessing the father's risk and the necessity for supervised contact. In relation to property, the court had to consider the division of assets, including various properties and shares, and address claims of spousal maintenance.

The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the four children, who were to live with her. The father's time with the children was significantly structured and supervised, initially by the paternal grandmother, with provisions for increased unsupervised time upon completion of counselling and parenting courses. The orders also detailed specific arrangements for holidays, birthdays, and changeovers, and mandated counselling for both parents, as well as the use of a communication book. Injunctions were put in place to prevent the denigration of either parent in front of the children and to prohibit physical discipline or exposure to family violence. Regarding property, the husband was ordered to pay the wife a sum of $83,750 and transfer his interest in two properties to her, while she transferred her interest in another property to him. Various other assets, including shares, a boat, and motor vehicles, were to be sold or transferred, with specific entitlements allocated to each party. The wife was also allocated a portion of the husband's superannuation. The wife's application for spousal maintenance was dismissed.