HODGES & ROSE

The case of *Hodges & Rose* involved a dispute between the parties concerning parenting arrangements for their three children, as well as property settlement, spousal maintenance, and child support. The matter was heard by Cronin J in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine the specific parenting orders for the children, including the division of time between the parents, particularly during school holidays. Additionally, the court had to make orders regarding the division of property, the payment of spousal maintenance, and the calculation of child support, taking into account the husband's high income.

Cronin J made orders for equal shared parental responsibility, establishing a specific schedule for the children to live with each parent, including provisions for school holidays and special occasions. The court also made detailed orders for property settlement, requiring the wife to pay a significant sum to the husband and to discharge certain liabilities. In default of these payments, the wife was given the option to sell the family home or shares to meet these obligations, with specific directions on the distribution of sale proceeds. The court also ordered the husband to pay spousal maintenance to the wife for a period of three years and made specific orders departing from the administrative assessment of child support, fixing the parties' adjusted taxable incomes and the husband's care percentage for the purposes of the child support formula. Further orders were made regarding the husband's obligation to pay school fees and medical expenses for the children, as well as a contribution towards health insurance.