MASTERS & KAZAN

In the matter of *Masters & Kazan*, heard by Kent J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child born in November 2006. The mother sought sole parental responsibility for making major long-term decisions, that the child live with her, and that the child have no contact with the father. Additionally, the mother sought liberty to change the child's surname and to renew or obtain a passport for the child without the father's consent.

The court was required to determine whether it was in the child's best interests to make orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility for major long-term decisions, that the child live with the mother, and that there be no time or communication between the child and the father. Further, the court had to consider whether to grant the mother liberty to change the child's surname and to obtain a passport for the child without the father's consent.

Kent J made orders reflecting the mother's requests, finding them to be in the child's best interests. The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for making major long-term decisions, that the child live with the mother, and that the child not spend time with or communicate with the father. The court also granted the mother liberty to change the child's name to B Masters Kazan and to obtain or renew the child's passport without the father's signature or consent.