HARRADINE & HARRADINE

In the matter of *Harradine & Harradine*, Dawe J considered applications by both the husband and wife concerning property settlement, spousal maintenance, and adult child maintenance. The primary dispute revolved around the just and equitable distribution of the parties' net assets, with the wife also seeking spousal and adult child maintenance.

The court was required to determine whether it was just and equitable to make final property settlement orders, considering the parties' respective financial and non-financial contributions, the reliability of the husband's evidence regarding asset valuations, and the treatment of previous partial property settlements and add-backs. Additionally, the court had to assess whether the wife had met the necessary criteria for lump sum spousal maintenance and whether the provision of maintenance for their adult child was necessary.

Dawe J found that while the husband had made significant financial contributions, his evidence concerning asset valuations was unreliable. The wife's contributions, encompassing both financial and homemaker roles, were also acknowledged. The court ultimately ordered a property division of 55 per cent to the husband and 45 per cent to the wife, deeming this a just and equitable distribution. The applications for spousal maintenance and adult child maintenance were dismissed, as the court was not satisfied that the necessary criteria had been met for either application. The orders detailed a complex scheme for the payment of the wife's property settlement entitlement, including provisions for the sale of specific properties and indemnities for various liabilities.