Lorenz and Halloran (Child support)

The case of Lorenz and Halloran concerned a dispute over the percentage of care for a child, brought before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The primary issue was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would necessitate a review and potential alteration of existing child support percentage of care determinations.

The court was required to determine whether the evidence presented demonstrated a significant and ongoing change in the child's living arrangements that justified revoking the existing percentage of care determinations. This involved assessing the factual circumstances of the child's care and applying the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes to care arrangements.

Justice Longo M considered the evidence regarding the actual and prospective care arrangements for the child. The court applied the principles governing changes to the pattern of care, focusing on whether the shift was substantial and likely to continue. Having found that a material change in the pattern of care had occurred, the court determined that the existing percentage of care determinations were no longer accurate or appropriate. Consequently, the court set aside the previous determinations and made new percentage of care determinations to reflect the current reality of the child's living arrangements.