Hudnall and Blanton (Child support)

The case of *Hudnall and Blanton* concerned a dispute regarding the percentage of care for a child. The applicant, Hudnall, sought to have the existing percentage of care determination revoked and a new determination made. The respondent, Blanton, opposed this application. The matter came before the court for review of a decision made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care of the child since the last percentage of care determination was made. This required the court to assess the evidence presented by both parties regarding the actual care arrangements and to determine if these arrangements constituted a significant and ongoing change that warranted a new assessment of care percentages.

In reaching its decision, the court considered the evidence of both parties concerning the day-to-day care of the child. The court applied the principles governing percentage of care determinations under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*, focusing on whether the observed pattern of care was likely to continue. The court found that the evidence supported a change in the likely pattern of care and that the existing determination was no longer accurate. Consequently, the court affirmed the decision to revoke the existing percentage of care determinations and make new determinations.