Kingsford and Drysdale

In the matter of *Kingsford and Drysdale*, Cronin J considered a dispute between the mother, Ms Kingsford, and the father, Mr Drysdale, concerning parenting orders for their child, B, born in 2011. Proceedings had been ongoing since 2012, with the relationship between the father and child having remained problematic until recently. The court's focus was on determining arrangements that would be in the best interests of the child.

The court was required to determine the legal issues surrounding the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, B. Specifically, the court had to consider the proposals put forward by the Independent Children’s Lawyer, the father, and the mother, and decide whether a shared parenting arrangement would meet the child's best interests. The father sought either the child living with him or an equal shared time arrangement, while the mother proposed the child live with her and spend four nights per fortnight with the father.

Cronin J reasoned that, contrary to the views of a single expert family consultant, a week-about arrangement was in the child's best interests and should be implemented immediately. The court's decision was informed by the specific circumstances of both parents, including the father's age, employment status, and recent relocation, and the mother's caregiving responsibilities for her terminally ill former partner, Mr F, and their two children. The court ultimately made orders discharging existing parenting orders and establishing a detailed schedule for the child to live with each parent on a week-about basis from the commencement of term 4 of the 2016 school year, including provisions for school holidays and Christmas. The orders also stipulated equal shared parental responsibility, cooperation regarding health appointments and educational progress, and the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer.