Peng and Cao

In the matter of Peng and Cao, heard before Cronin J, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements and property settlement. The wife sought orders regarding the children and the division of assets, while the husband's participation in the proceedings was limited.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, specifically concerning the children's residence and the allocation of parental responsibility for major long-term decisions. Additionally, the court had to adjudicate on the division of the parties' property, including a property located at D Street, Suburb E, and address the husband's obligations concerning the mortgage on that property.

Cronin J made orders granting the wife leave to proceed in the husband's absence on an undefended basis. The court ordered that the wife have sole parental responsibility for major long-term decisions concerning the children and that the children live with the mother. Regarding property, the husband was ordered to transfer his interest in the D Street property to the wife, who was to indemnify him and meet all mortgage payments, obtaining a discharge of his obligations. Other property was to be retained by each party as it stood. The court also made provision for a registrar to sign documents on the husband's behalf if he failed to do so, pursuant to s 106A of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The wife's application filed on 1 October 2015 was otherwise dismissed. The husband was granted 30 days to seek to set aside the orders, provided he could demonstrate his non-participation to date. Service of the orders and reasons was to be effected electronically.