Khalif and Khalif

In the matter of *Khalif and Khalif*, heard before Watts J, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for the three children of the marriage. The wife sought sole parental responsibility and orders for the children to live with her, while the husband's position regarding time spent with the children was to be agreed between the parties.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine the parenting orders that were in the best interests of the children. This involved considering the appropriate level of parental responsibility and the living arrangements for the children, as well as the terms upon which the husband would spend time with them. The court also had to consider the costs of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Watts J ordered that all prior parenting orders be discharged. The wife was granted sole parental responsibility for the children, and they were to live with her. The husband was to spend time with the children as agreed between the parties. These orders were made pending further order but were to become final after 28 days from service on the husband, provided he did not file an application to relist the matter within that period. Leave was granted to the Independent Children's Lawyer to make an oral application for costs, with the final determination of this application to await the outcome of property proceedings involving a second respondent and to be resolved by agreement between the parties' lawyers and the Independent Children's Lawyer.