Pfaff and Rilling

In the matter of Pfaff and Rilling, Berman J considered an application concerning parenting orders for two children, X and Z. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children's care, living arrangements, and parental responsibility following the discharge of previous orders.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for shared parental responsibility, the specific allocation of responsibility for health and education matters, the children's primary residence, and the time the children would spend with each parent. This included establishing a detailed schedule for weekend and weekday time, school holidays, and special occasions such as birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Christmas. The court also had to consider provisions for overseas travel and the exchange of information regarding the children's health and education.

Berman J ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders. Shared parental responsibility was established for the children, with the mother retaining sole responsibility for health and education issues, subject to a requirement to consult with the father and provide him with written notification of her final decisions if agreement could not be reached. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for time spent with the father, including alternate weekends, an intervening weekday, and half of the short and Christmas school holidays. Further orders detailed arrangements for special occasions and annual overseas holidays, including notice requirements and the provision of itinerary and contact details. The mother was also directed to inform the father of the identity and contact details of health professionals involved in the children's care and to authorise communication and information release to him. Similarly, schools were authorised to provide the father with copies of reports, notices, and other requested information at his expense.