LYTTON & CALIX

In the matter of *Lytton & Calix*, heard before Judge Burchardt, the father disputed an application for adult child maintenance. The core of the dispute concerned the child's alleged incapacity to work and the sufficiency of the medical evidence presented to support this claim.

The court was required to determine whether the child was genuinely unable to work due to a mental disability, and if so, whether maintenance was necessary. Furthermore, the court had to assess an appropriate level of weekly support and consider the father's capacity to pay. The mother sought lifelong maintenance payments, raising the issue of the duration of any maintenance order.

Judge Burchardt was satisfied that the child was unable to work due to a mental disability and that maintenance was necessary. The court assessed $150 per week as an appropriate level of support, taking into account the father's ability to pay. However, the court declined to make an order for indefinite payments, deeming it inappropriate in the circumstances.

Consequently, the court ordered the father to pay maintenance of $150 per week in respect of the child, Ms A Calix, for a period of 18 months from the date of the orders. All other extant applications were dismissed.