HESTON & NORTON AND ORS

This matter concerned parenting orders sought by Mr Norton and Ms Heston regarding their three children. The dispute involved the court determining the future living arrangements and contact arrangements for the children.

The court was required to determine the issue of parental responsibility for the children, where the children should live, and the nature and extent of contact Ms Heston would have with the children. The court also had to consider the terms of any injunction to be granted and the allocation of costs associated with supervised contact.

Carew J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. Mr Norton was granted sole parental responsibility for the children, and the children were ordered to live with him. Ms Heston was restrained from contacting or approaching the children or attending near their schools, except as provided for in the order. The order then set out a detailed schedule for Ms Heston to spend time with and communicate with the children, commencing with telephone or Skype contact and progressively increasing to alternate weekends and half of school holidays. This time was to be supervised, with costs to be borne equally. The court also made orders regarding the exchange of personal information, children's documents, and medical and educational information.