Meadows & Meadows (No. 2)

In *Meadows & Meadows (No. 2)*, Baumann J of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between a husband and wife concerning parenting arrangements for their child, property division, and spousal maintenance. The parenting dispute centred on whether either parent posed an unacceptable risk to the child, with particular concerns raised about the mother's failure to spend time with the child. The property dispute involved a modest asset pool and disagreements regarding the parties' contributions.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting orders for the child, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, residence, and time spent with each parent, while also assessing any risks presented by either parent. In relation to property, the court needed to determine the division of the parties' assets and liabilities, including their respective superannuation interests. Finally, the court had to consider the wife's application for spousal maintenance.

Regarding parenting, the court found that while concerns existed about the mother's lack of engagement, these did not amount to an unacceptable risk. Consequently, orders were made for the child to live with the father, with the father having sole parental responsibility but required to consult the mother on major long-term decisions. The child was to spend supervised time with the mother, with the duration and frequency of this time to gradually increase over a three-month period, and changeovers were to occur at a contact centre. The court also made orders restraining denigration of either parent and restricting the discussion of proceedings with the child. In the property settlement, the court ordered a division of the net non-superannuation interests of 45% to the wife and 55% to the husband, with the husband to pay the wife a sum of $200,000 and retain the former matrimonial home. A superannuation splitting order was also made, allocating $45,000 to the wife from the husband's superannuation fund. The wife's application for spousal maintenance was dismissed.