Lachlan and Lachlan

This matter concerned parenting orders and property orders made by Justice Le Poer Trench in the Family Court of Australia. The parties, the mother and father, were in dispute regarding the future care arrangements for their child, born in September 1995, and the division of their property.

The court was required to determine the primary caregiver for the child, the specific time the child would spend with each parent, and how parental responsibility would be exercised. Additionally, the court needed to resolve disputes concerning the division of various assets, including real estate, financial accounts, shares, and superannuation interests, and to make orders for the payment of costs associated with the proceedings.

In relation to parenting, the court discharged previous orders and made new orders granting the father sole parental responsibility, with the requirement to consult the mother by email on important decisions and to consider the child's and mother's views. The child was ordered to live with the father, with specific arrangements for time spent with the mother, including weekday afternoons, every second weekend, and holiday periods. The court also made orders restraining both parents from denigrating each other or discussing the proceedings with the child, and mandated the child's attendance with a therapist. Regarding property, the court ordered the mother to pay a sum to the father, with a provision for the sale of a property if payment was not made. Further orders detailed the division of sale proceeds, occupation of the property, management of joint accounts, transfer of various assets including vehicles and financial holdings, and the division of superannuation interests. The court also made orders regarding the payment of costs for the Independent Children's Lawyer and expert reports.