Pompidou & Pompidou

In the matter of *Pompidou & Pompidou*, Brown J considered an application to vary final orders previously made on 7 July 2004. The dispute concerned the division of assets and liabilities, child support arrangements, and the management of certain real properties following the dissolution of the marriage. The wife sought variations to the existing orders, and the husband was subject to the proposed changes.

The court was required to determine several legal issues. These included whether to vary the final orders to make the husband solely liable for a significant credit card debt and to indemnify the wife against it. The court also had to consider whether to depart from the administrative assessment of child support payable by the husband to the wife for their three children, and if so, to what extent and for what duration. Furthermore, the court needed to decide on appropriate orders to restrain the husband from dealing with his interest in specific real properties, subject to certain exceptions, and to address the question of costs.

Brown J varied the final orders by making the husband solely liable for and requiring him to indemnify the wife against the credit card debt of approximately $17,000. The court also ordered a departure from the administrative assessment of child support, setting a specific annual rate for a defined period and thereafter adjusting it annually based on the consumer price index for Melbourne. Additionally, the husband was restrained from dealing with his interest in three specified real properties until the youngest child turned 18, with a proviso allowing further encumbration provided the total secured sum did not exceed 85% of the property's value. The court also made orders regarding the filing and service of submissions concerning costs.