KIRKLAND & GORMAN

This case concerned parenting and property disputes between a father and mother. The court was required to determine the parenting arrangements for the parties' two children, X and Y, and to divide their various assets and liabilities. The parenting dispute arose in circumstances where the parents had a lack of trust and an inability to communicate effectively, with the father having been the primary carer in recent times. The property dispute involved the division of bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, superannuation, and various debts.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in establishing parenting orders, considering the existing care arrangements and the parents' communication difficulties. In relation to property, the court had to assess the contributions of each party to the marriage and consider relevant adjustments under section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The court also had to consider the application of *Stanford* and its implications for assessing contributions, and how to deal with superannuation interests.

In its parenting orders, the court found that equal shared parental responsibility was appropriate, but that the children should live with the father, with specific time arrangements for the mother. The court noted that further substantial changes to parenting arrangements would not be in the children's best interests. In relation to property, the court rejected the father's contention regarding the meaning of *Stanford* and a purely mathematical approach to contributions, but found that the father's contributions were substantially greater. A minor adjustment under section 75(2) was made in the father's favour. The court then made detailed orders for the division of property, including the transfer of interests in various properties and bank accounts, and the allocation of specific assets and liabilities to each party, including a splittable payment from the mother's superannuation to the father.