Heaton and Heaton

The case of *Heaton and Heaton* concerned an application by the Applicant mother for parenting orders in relation to the parties' two children. The dispute revolved around the arrangements for the children's living situation, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibility.

The court was required to determine the nature and extent of parental responsibility, the primary residence of the children, and the specific arrangements for the children to spend time with and communicate with the father. This included defining the frequency and duration of weekend and school holiday time, as well as provisions for communication and the exchange of information regarding the children's schooling and well-being.

Hannam J ordered that previous parenting orders be discharged. The parents were granted equal shared parental responsibility, requiring them to confer on long-term decisions concerning the children's care, welfare, and development. The children were ordered to live with the Applicant mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the children, including certain weekends during school terms, one half of each school holiday period (with specific arrangements for Term 3 holidays), and liberal telephone communication. The orders also stipulated that both parents must keep each other informed of contact details and notify each other of significant events concerning the children's health or accidents. Furthermore, the court directed that school principals provide reports and information to both parents and included particulars of obligations and consequences for contravention of the orders pursuant to section 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). All outstanding applications and cross-applications concerning the children were dismissed.