LANTOS & LANTOS

This matter concerned final parenting and property orders made by Judge Newbrun in the Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved Mr and Mrs Lantos, with the court required to determine the best interests of their child, [X], and to divide the parties' property.

The court was tasked with determining the primary caregiver for the child, including arrangements for the child's residence and the allocation of parental responsibility for major long-term issues. Additionally, the court had to address the child's ability to travel internationally and the father's access to information regarding the child's schooling and medical care. In relation to property, the court was required to make orders for the division of the former matrimonial home, a motor vehicle, a bank account, and other personalty and financial resources.

In making the parenting orders, the court applied the paramount consideration of the best interests of the child. This resulted in orders for the mother to have sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues, for the child to live with the mother, and for the mother to have sole responsibility for the child's passport. The father was granted specific rights to receive information about the child's schooling and medical care, and limited rights to send gifts. For the property division, the court made orders for the transfer of the former matrimonial home to the applicant, the discharge of the existing mortgage and its replacement, the applicant's sole ownership of a motor vehicle, the closure of a joint bank account with the balance to the applicant, and each party retaining personalty and financial resources in their possession.

The court also made orders for the parties to execute all necessary documents to give effect to the property division, with the Registrar appointed under section 106A of the *Family Law Act* to execute documents in the event of refusal or neglect. Liberty to apply was granted to either party in relation to the implementation or enforcement of the orders.