Paisley and Anor and Milton

The applicants, Mr and Mrs Paisley, sought orders concerning their children, J Milton and L Milton. The dispute involved applications for changes to the children's names and for leave to commence adoption proceedings. The matter came before Young J in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the proposed changes of surname for the children from Milton to Paisley, and whether to grant the applicants leave to commence proceedings for the adoption of the children by Mr Paisley. The court also had to consider the overarching question of parental responsibility and living arrangements for the children.

Young J ordered that the applicants exercise equal shared parental responsibility for the children and that the children live with the applicants. Crucially, the court was satisfied that the proposed changes of name were in the children's best interests and therefore approved them pursuant to s 26 of the *Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996* (Vic). Furthermore, the court granted leave under s 60G(1) of the *Family Law Act 1975* for proceedings to commence for the adoption of the children by Mr Paisley. Other applications made by the parties were dismissed.