Morena and Estella

Bell J made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for three children, N, E, and M, following a dispute between their parents, Morena and Estella. The orders discharged previous parenting orders and established new arrangements for the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and parental responsibility.

The court was required to determine the specific living arrangements for each child, the quantum and nature of time each parent would spend with the children, and the allocation of parental responsibility for both major long-term issues and day-to-day matters. Additionally, the court addressed communication protocols between the parents regarding the children, changeover arrangements, and specific prohibitions against denigrating the other parent or discussing court proceedings in the children's presence. The court also mandated a process of family dispute resolution for any future disagreements.

Bell J applied principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to establish parenting orders that aimed to provide for the children's best interests. The orders reflect a nuanced approach, with N's living arrangements and time with the mother being significantly influenced by N's wishes and requiring N's explicit communication via SMS to initiate contact with the mother. In contrast, E and M were ordered to live with the mother, with detailed provisions for their time spent with the father, including specific holiday arrangements and communication methods. Equal shared parental responsibility was ordered for N's major long-term issues, while the mother was granted sole parental responsibility for E and M's major long-term issues. Both parents were to have sole responsibility for non-major long-term issues when the children were in their respective care.

The court ordered the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer and annexed a document detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the parenting orders.