HORRIGAN & HORRIGAN

In the matter of HORRIGAN & HORRIGAN, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia considered interim proceedings concerning the children and spousal maintenance. The dispute involved the father's application to spend time with and communicate with the child, and the wife's application for spousal maintenance.

The court was required to determine the arrangements for the child's living arrangements and time with the father, and whether the wife was entitled to interim spousal maintenance. Specifically, the court had to consider the wife's primary care of the child, her ability to support herself, and the husband's capacity to provide financial support.

By consent, orders were made that the child would live with the mother and spend time with the father as arranged between the parties, or at a Children's Contact Centre if no agreement could be reached. These orders included provisions for assessment for supervised time, compliance with Contact Centre rules, and equal contribution to costs. The court also made orders for the husband to pay interim spousal maintenance to the wife, finding that she was unable to adequately support herself and that the husband had the capacity to provide financial assistance.