Holden and Holden

In *Holden & Holden*, the Family Court of Australia considered parenting and property matters between Mr Holden (Applicant) and Ms Holden (Respondent). The dispute involved interim parenting arrangements for the parties' three children, B, C, and D, and the management of proceeds from the sale of a property. The substantive application by Mr Holden sought for the children to live with him in the long term, while Ms Holden sought for them to live with her.

The court was required to determine interim parenting orders, specifically the children's living arrangements and the father's contact time. Additionally, the court needed to make orders regarding the net proceeds of the sale of the parties' property. The court also addressed the transfer of extant applications for final orders to the Federal Magistrates Court and the separate representation of the children.

Justice Cronin, acknowledging the parties' consent on many issues, made orders for the children to live with the mother until further order. The father was granted supervised contact time on Wednesdays and alternate Saturdays, with specific conditions for the initial periods of contact, including the attendance of a representative from E Family Services. The court also ordered that the net proceeds of the property sale be placed in an interest-bearing trust account with the wife's solicitors. Furthermore, the court ordered that the children be separately represented and requested Victoria Legal Aid to arrange such representation. The parties also undertook to complete a post-separation parenting course and were restrained from discussing or denigrating the other parent in the presence of the children, and from consuming alcohol 24 hours prior to the children being in their care. All extant interim applications were dismissed.