MIDDLEMISS & MIDDLEMISS

In the matter of MIDDLEMISS & MIDDLEMISS, Judge McGuire of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the property settlement between the husband and wife following a lengthy marriage. The dispute involved the division of various assets and liabilities, including real estate, personal property, bank accounts, motor vehicles, and superannuation entitlements.

The court was required to determine the appropriate division of the parties' financial resources and liabilities, taking into account their contributions during and after the marriage, as well as their future needs. A key issue was the treatment of post-separation contributions and the allocation of specific assets and debts between the parties, including the division of superannuation interests.

Judge McGuire applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* to achieve a final determination of the parties' financial relationship. The orders reflect a division where the husband was to make a lump sum payment to the wife and transfer certain assets to her, while the wife was to transfer the family home and other assets to the husband. Both parties were to be solely responsible for and indemnify each other in respect of liabilities incurred since separation. Specific orders were made pursuant to s 90XT of the Act to address the division of superannuation entitlements, establishing a base amount to be paid to the wife from the husband's superannuation fund.