MEREDITH & ALLEN

This matter concerned property settlement and child maintenance proceedings between the husband and wife. The primary dispute revolved around the division of assets and liabilities, including a property located at E Street, Suburb S, and various business interests and superannuation funds. The court was also required to determine an application for adult child maintenance.

The legal issues before the court included the just and equitable distribution of the parties' property under section 79 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), considering their respective contributions and other relevant matters under section 79(4)(d)-(g). Additionally, the court had to consider the husband's obligation to pay adult child maintenance for their child, B, who had a physical disability, and whether this should be a lump sum or periodic payment.

Watts J ordered that the husband pay the wife $256,144 within 42 days, and simultaneously, the wife was to transfer her interest in the Suburb S property and a council bond to the husband. If the husband failed to comply, the wife was authorised to sell the Suburb S property, with proceeds to be distributed in a specified order, including payment of outstanding loans, agent commissions, legal costs, and a percentage to the wife, with the balance to the husband. The husband was to be solely responsible for mortgage repayments and outgoings on the Suburb S property pending its sale and was restrained from bidding at auction. The court also made orders regarding the division of various company interests and superannuation funds, with each party indemnifying the other for liabilities associated with the assets retained. Finally, the husband was ordered to pay $199 per week by way of adult child maintenance for B, with arrears to be charged against the Suburb S property.