PATEL & KANYAR

In *Patel & Kanyar*, heard by Judge Hartnett, the dispute concerned the division of property and spousal maintenance following a marriage of approximately one year and six months, during which there were no children. The husband's contributions to the marriage were significantly greater than the wife's. The wife sought a lump sum payment for spousal maintenance.

The court was required to determine the appropriate assessment of contributions under section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) in the context of a short marriage with disparate contributions, and to consider the wife's claim for spousal maintenance.

Judge Hartnett reasoned that despite the brevity of the marriage, the wife was entitled to a contribution from the husband to reflect her needs and the husband's capacity. Applying the principles of property division and spousal maintenance under the *Family Law Act*, the court ordered the husband to pay the wife a lump sum of $20,000 within 60 days. The remaining property was to be divided according to existing possession, with each party solely responsible for their own liabilities and any claims to superannuation being forgone. All other applications were dismissed.